The controversy over the screening of the movie Jodhaa Akbar has laid bare how touchy we are as a people and how easily we surrender to intolerance and violence. A section of the Rajput community is protesting that the movie distorts historical reality, that the Rajput princess Jodhaabai was not Akbar's wife as portrayed in the film but his daughter-in-law. They have accused the makers of the film of distorting historical facts and hurting Rajput sentiments. Rajput mobs in Rajasthan and other states have engaged in stone throwing and arson to prevent screening of the film.

A bomb exploded in a theatre in Mumbai where the movie was being screened. The protests are absurd in content and method. This is a movie that has drawn from history no doubt but it does not claim to be a historical account. Besides, personalities and events in history are interpreted in various ways. What makes the Rajputs think that their interpretation of history is the truth? If the community believes that the movie misinterprets what they see as the truth, then they are free to make their point and debate the issue in the media, even protest. But engaging in violence and threats is simply not on.

As unacceptable as the Rajput intolerance is the response of the government. The screening of the movie has been banned in several states. By banning the movie the government has surrendered to chauvinism, bigotry and intimidation. It has denied citizens their right to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution. The ban will only encourage other chauvinistic groups to engage in violence to get their way.

It does seem that it takes very little to offend us Indians. Increasingly it is becoming impossible to write a book or make a movie without offending someone or some community. Brahmins take offence to being depicted with a paunch, Muslims frown when they are shown to be fat. Recently a Bollywood song triggered angry protests because a line in it was regarded as insulting to Dalits. We are unable to smile even at a small joke about ourselves, our accents or our mannerisms. We have become a touchy people, protesting over every little perceived slight. What have the Rajputs achieved with their protests over Jodhaa Akbar? In the name of protecting the community’s sentiments, the protests have only shown them to be a prickly community.