No individual should become bigger than the cause: Muntazar al-Zaid

When an Iraqi reporter flung a shoe at former US President George Bush, little did he know of of the global attention he would generate. “I hurled the shoe at the murderer of my nation, and I wanted the world to know that Iraq did not receive the occupier of our nation with flowers,” explains Muntazar al-Zaidi, who’s all set to come to Mumbai to attend the finale of the play The Last Salute based on his book and spearheaded by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. The excerpts in an exclusive with DNA:

On meeting Mahesh Bhatt
I came to know about Mr Mahesh Bhatt when I heard of his plans to make a play on my book. He is an able producer and I have watched issue based Indian films produced by him. I salute his courage and support he’s extended. You need more people to demonstrate such exemplary courage that Mr Bhatt did.

On his first visit to India
My first visit to India (for the opening of the play in Delhi) was very short, but I felt the greatness of the people here. I had the honour to visit the grave of my idol, Mahatma Gandhi. This time, I’m visiting Mumbai for the first time, but I feel I’ve visited it before and interacted with Mumbaikers when it was attacked by terrorists. I wish the city peace.

On Gandhian Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption in India
I support anyone fighting to root out corruption, but care should be taken that no individual becomes larger than the cause s/he is espousing. If India is to march forward and emerge as one of the biggest economies of the world, it must grow with equity and social justice.

About a film on the incident
Yes, Mr Bhatt’s daughter Pooja Bhatt has okayed a film about this issue, it’s quite interesting. Inshallah, we will talk with her on the subject with more details in Mumbai.

About his plans in Mumbai
After the completion of the play, I would like to live the magic of this beautiful city. My fiancee is very eager to visit Mumbai.