Indian-American comedian Hasan Minhaj does not shy away from social commentary. While he’s mostly focused on American issues, every now or then he often focuses on burning international issues as well. Now he’s one of the few international celebs bringing attention to the erosion of independence and autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir.
https://twitter.com/hasanminhaj/status/1162070236155318274?s=09
On his show Patriot Act, Hasan Minhaj called out India for taking away the little autonomy that Jammu and Kashmir had while India was celebrating 72 years of Independence from UK.
“With independence and autonomy, I can’t help but think about the people of Kashmir, and everything that’s been going on right now with Article 370.”
ALSO READ
Nicki Minaj to Perform In Saudi Arabia While Hasan Minhaj Faces Censorship
The Spy Who Dumped Me actor highlighted the complete communications and media black-out in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing how families could not get in touch and were not aware of each other’s well being.
“There’s been a communications blackout. So just imagine parents not being able to get in touch with their kids. Families don’t even know if they’re okay.”
Erosion of Autonomy Not Just in Kashmir
Hasan Minhaj was not hopeful that things would improve for the people of Kashmir. In light of the current situation, realistically things are not looking up. The comedian voiced his fears that there is a wave of ‘erosion of autonomy and independence‘ going around worldwide.
Besides the removal of Article 370 and scrapping the constitutional autonomy of Kashmir, Hong Kong is facing a similar issue. Residents of Hong Kong are protesting new Chinese legislation that allows the extradition of Chinese prisoners from the Island of Hong Kong.
ALSO READ
Hasan Minhaj Schools Ellen Degeneres On Her Own Show Over Mispronounced Name [Video]
Hong Kong is far more autonomous from mainland China, unlike Jammu and Kashmir. They have their own banking system and currency, as well as their own elected leaders.
Kashmir previously had its own Parliament but revoking Article 370 has changed that.
Unlike Hasan Minhaj
While globally famous Pakistanis like Jameela Jamil are shying away from commenting on Kashmir for fear of losing on their Indian following, Hasan Minhaj has put it straight. Even Pakistani girls education rights activist Malala Yousafzai’s stance on Kashmir was meek at best.
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/1160856009193037824?s=08
Besides the Muslim American, British-Pakistani Riz Ahmed was among the first global celebs to draw light to the happenings in Kashmir.
ALSO READ
Riz Ahmed Speaks Out For Jammu and Kashmir
On the other hand, Indian megastars like Priyanka Chopra are not shying away from openly supporting stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, or even nuclear war with Pakistan. As she put it, she’s ‘patriotic‘.
Like Hasan Minhaj explained, Kashmir has been a political nuclear point between India and Pakistan for ages. Now with the conflict escalating with Kashmir, the two nuclear-equipped nations might be on the verge of war.
Priyanka Chopra tweeted during a time when we were this 👌🏽 close to sending nukes to one another. Instead of advocating for peace she tweeted in support of the Indian army pic.twitter.com/LhbMkOW59v
— Ayesha Malik (@Spishaa) August 11, 2019
