26/1/2009: 'I Am Not A Dog'

The protest by several hundred people at a cinema in Patna, the ca[pital city of the Eastern state of Bihar, against the use of the word ‘dog’ by the makers of Slumdog Millionaire to describe a slum-dweller was organised by Tateshwar Vishwakarma, a prominent social activist who had already filed a lawsuit over the title against four Indians involved in the production.

 Vishwakarma complained that, ‘Referring to people living in slums as dogs is a violation of human rights… We will burn Danny Boyle’s effigies in 56 slums here.’   Fellow activist Kishori Das added, ‘We are in touch with like-minded organisations across India to take the issue on a large scale.’

 On Thursday 22^nd January 2009, another social activist organised a more small-scale protest involving about 40 slum-dwellers who held banners proclaiming ‘Poverty for Sale’ and ‘I am not a dog’ outside the home of Anil Kapoor, one of the stars of the film.

 Simon Beaufoy, the film’s writer, said, ‘I just made up the word.   I liked the Idea.   I didn’t mean to offend anyone.

The organisation of violent protests by social, political or religious activists is a common tactic employed in India to gain publicity for their cause. [ADD]

Further Reading:

2009

India: 2009