False Gods...

Pollution, population, corruption, illiteracy - These can be listed as some of the problems that a growing India is facing. But there is a deeper, subtler, and cultural problem that looms over India's development. That is the blind following of FALSE GODS.

We as a unit or a community are getting influenced and driven by these FALSE GODS. They come in various forms and sizes and usually be seen on social media platforms (Instagram especially).

In this post, I want to talk about one such 'influencer'. His name is Vikas Phatak or more commonly known as 'Hindustani Bhau'. He is a famous Youtuber, a known name in TikTok and other social media platforms.

He is immensely popular amongst youngsters and people who hate Pakistan (for obvious reasons). His posts are extremely pointed, biased, and abusive to the point that you might have to clean your ears with a disinfectant after hearing him talk.

While I salute his patriotism and that he takes a bold stand against people who speak ill of my country, I am not fine with his methods.

We cannot find hate with hate. It just won't work. But for some reason, he is a BIG HIT...

Let me put it in perspective:

• He has more than 3,00,000 followers on Instagram
• He was a contestant in Big Boss
• He is soon going to star in a movie
• His net worth has nearly tripled after he shot to fame with his short videos

He has made a fortune spewing hostility, calling people with unmentionable names, and mostly creating content that is meant to agitate communal riots and hatred. Why is he still allowed to use 'Hindustani' in his stage name is beyond me. His methods are everything but 'Hindustani'.

We as a community are placing our love, support, and trust at the altars of such FALSE GODS and this should stop. As responsible netizens, we should be very conscious of what content we are consuming, sharing, or supporting. Because without our support, these 'celebrities' are nothing. It is us that have made them such powerful.

We as a community and as a country need to be conscious of what content we are consuming. On the surface, we are watching a short video where a guy abuses the lights out of Pakistan and it looks fun and is entertaining. But at a deeper level, the youth of this country is subconsciously accepting his hatred as a norm and may start harboring this hatred in their hearts. The future of India cannot be led by such Hindustani Bhaus.

In this era of fast food, fast clothing, and instant media, as a country, we are losing our ability to think deeply. To evaluate. To question. To reason. I might sound like a pessimistic old crank but look around you - you will find many such mind-numbingly stupid content creators that have no real value but make millions because we choose to follow them and share their content. We become their followers and 'bhakts' and transcend them to the position of GODS. FALSE GODS.

If I am being honest, I am even scared of writing anything against Hindustani Bhaus as his followers are known to beat up people who dare say anything about it. But I have said it, and I will say it again, Vikas Phatak is a 'bhau' alright, but should not be called 'Hindustani Bhau' at any cost. ('bhau' is an Indian colloquial term which means 'brother')

In closing, I want to say that I have nothing against Vikas and other such celebrities. Social Media is made of content creators and content consumers and if you like his content - more power to you and him.

Thoughts?