New Delhi: A call for awarding the Bharat Ratna to Anant Pai posthumously, for his contribution to educating children on India’s cultural diversity through his Amar Chitra Katha, sparked a war of words on Twitter Wednesday.
An opinion piece published in Swarajya Magazine made a case for ‘Uncle’ Pai whose stories in the publication revolved around Indian mythology and folklore.
In a tribute to Pai on his 90th birthday, the article by Aravindan Neelakandan prompted a response from Jawhar Sircar, a former IAS officer, on Twitter where he accused Pai of injecting “poison into young, innocent minds in the name of Indian history-culture”. He further claimed the stories “gave respectability to Brahmanical hatred for Muslims, Dalits!”.
BJP’s @SwarajyaMag proposes a Bharat Ratna for Anant Pai of Amar Chitra Katha comics. He injected poison into young, innocent minds in the name of Indian history-culture + gave respectability to Brahmanical hatred for Muslims, Dalits! https://t.co/L6puET9QCg via @swarajyamag
— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) September 17, 2019
The former culture secretary’s tweet was met with a lot of hateful replies in the comments section, 1.1k to be precise at the time of writing this report. The Twitterati hurled abuses at him for disrespecting Uncle Pai. Defending ACK, many of them said the magazine gave them a window to their history, a history that was apparently denied to them by “people like him”.
Like scularism brahminal hatred has become new by word for these people.If not for brahmins this country could not have survived onslaught on our religion and culture.Don't think people are fool.
— Suresh Hattangadi (@Sureshattangadi) September 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/chaudhri_p/status/1174031671345025024
Uncultured Vulture Secretary speaks!
Lutyens media
Deracinated bureaucracy
Corrupt, dynast politicians
India is yet to be fully liberated from these Jaichands
— Devi Prasad Rao 🇮🇳 (@DPRArohana) September 18, 2019
Known as the pioneer of the Indian comic books industry, Pai was the man behind Amar Chitra Katha. He was born in Mangalore and later moved to Mumbai to pursue his studies in engineering. At 21, he left engineering and joined the Times of India where he managed Indrajal Comics, which republished popular American comics for Indian readers.
ACK was the first major indigenous comic book series for India’s youth. Since its inception in 1967, it has sold 100 million copies in 20 Indian languages. The stories revolve around Indian mythology as well as trivia on India’s history, geography and famous personalities. The decision to start a comic book that covered topics such as these came to Pai’s mind when he was watching a TV quiz show where children failed to answer basic questions about Ramayana. Quitting his job at TOI, he teamed up with publisher Indian Book House and launched the first ACK in 1967. Pai was not just the founder but also lead the writing and illustrative team as the primary storyteller.
ACK’s popularity remains unmatched, but the series has been accused of telling a skewed version of history and mythology. It has also been accused of promoting a Hindu nationalist ideology with sexist, racist and communalist undertones.
Also read: Arshia Sattar takes Hindu mythology beyond an Amar Chitra Katha-type narrative
Agree with the previous comment. With a name as it is and a surname that says ‘Sircar’ you can know where he comes from, yes you’re right! He comes from Didi Land and he will only wag his tail as his political boss dictates him to. Or he has Cpmmie Odeology Ingrained in his stupid mind.
But let us put all that aside and start a petition to this Govt that Uncle Pai should simultaneously get a Padma Vibhushan and a Bharat Ratna Simultaneously.
Such is the need to please the liberal masses that an IAS officer has to slander a man who is responsible to keeping our ancient history alive. Well, what more can you expect from a man named ‘Jawahar’? Let’s hope his wife or mistress isn’t named ‘Edwina’ (sic).