Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Tuesday found himself in the centre of a political storm over his remarks on intolerance, with the BJP sharply criticising him and the Congress stoutly defending him. The actor-producer's candid remarks at an awards event in New Delhi the previous day set Twitter abuzz and left the film fraternity divided.
Aamir, 50, had said: "For the last six to eight months, there has been a growing despondency I would say. Kiran (wife Kiran Rao) and I have lived all our life in India. When I sit at home and talk to Kiran, for the first time she said, 'Should we move out of India?' Now that's a very disastrous and a big comment to make to me."
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju sought to contradict Aamir's assertion and said: "The record shows that the number of incidents of communal violence in the country have come down since NDA came to power. Just to make a blatant statement that during NDA rule, the country has become intolerant, it unnecessarily tarnishes the image of the country."
The Congress, however, supported Aamir, with party vice president Rahul Gandhi suggesting that the Narendra Modi government reach out to the people to know why they felt disturbed.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Instead of branding all those who question the government and Modiji as unpatriotic, anti-national or 'motivated', the government would do better to reach out to people to understand what's disturbing them."
In a quick rebuttal, the BJP said Rahul Gandhi supporting Aamir's comment only reeks of a conspiracy to defame the nation.
"We completely reject the comment of Aamir Khan. He is not scared but he is trying to scare people. Aamir Khan makes a comment and Rahul Gandhi supports it. It becomes clear from Gandhi's comment that there is a conspiracy going on in the country to defame the nation," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told media persons in New Delhi.
"India gave him all the laurels and respect. He should not forget that India made him a star," Hussain said.
A complaint was lodged against the "PK" star by short filmmaker Ullhas PR with Delhi Police over the remarks. Meanwhile, hundreds of activists of the Hindu Sena on Tuesday staged a loud demonstration outside Khan's residence in Mumbai protesting against his statement on intolerance. They were detained by the police and security beefed up around Aamir's house.
And stoking further the ongoing debate on the rising intolerance in the country, BJP parliamentarian Yogi Adityanath said in New Delhi that people were free to leave as it will reduce the country's population.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, however, said the Muslims would not leave the country, come what may, and that they would continue to live here as "proud Indians".
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal supported the actor, and tweeted: "BJP should stop silencing voices through abuses and threats. It's high time that the central government took concrete steps to instill a sense of security amongst people."
Several members of the film fraternity, including Anupam Kher, Ram Gopal Varma and Ashoke Pandit, slammed Aamir, saying that he must spread hope and not fear.
Dear @aamir_khan. Did you ask Kiran which country would she like to move out to? Did you tell her that this country has made you AAMIR KHAN.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) November 23, 2015
Veteran actor Anupam -- also a BJP supporter -- questioned Aamir on Twitter if he had asked Kiran "which country would she like to move out to".
"When did 'Incredible India' become 'Intolerant India' for you? Only in the last seven to eight months? #AtithiDevoBhavah," Anupam tweeted.
Isn't Aamir,Sharuk,Salman,3 Muslims becoming biggest stars of a Hindu country proof enough that india is tolerant?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) November 24, 2015
Aamir, in 2008, was appointed to endorse the tourism ministry's Incredible India campaign.
Ram Gopal Varma, too, wanted to know that when "Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman -- the three biggest stars of the Hindu country India are Muslims, I don't understand where intolerance is?"
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, who starred in "OMG: Oh My God!" which questioned the existence of blind faith in godmen -- much like Aamir's blockbuster "PK", commented: "'PK' did rattle the belief of Hindus, but Aamir didn't face the wrath of Hindu or THE MAJORITY... but was superhit and made crores."
Intolerance !PK did rattle the belief of Hindus but Aamir dint face the wrath of Hindu or THE MAJORITY n but was super hit n made crores !
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) November 23, 2015
There also were some who backed Aamir -- music composer Vishal Dadlani of the Vishal-Shekhar duo, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta and veteran award-winning director Saeed Mirza, to name a few.
Dadlani said: "More power to your voice, @aamir_khan Sir! This is OUR country, it belongs to ALL Indians. Not to rabid lunatics from any party/religion. Thanks to Aamir Sir, for speaking against intolerance! Proud to see the giants of film, use their voices for India."
"Look, you have points of view. Let them be heard. I heard about the statement of Aamir Khan this morning. In fact, I read about it. He has a point of view, let it be heard. We can debate it," veteran award-winning director Saeed Mirza told IANS on the sidelines of a parallel student's film festival organised by the students of the Film and Television Institute of India in Panaji.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt told a television channel: "Whatever he said was in a simple manner and what his wife told him. If people have issues and are afraid to live in India, the government should come forward and address those issues. Yes, the situation of the country has changed, it is not a political statement, it is the government's duty to listen to such voices."
Pakistani filmmaker Jamshed Mahmood Raza said: "If Aamir Khan is speaking out about intolerance and facing a backlash, the Indian actor is probably right."
HINDU SENA PROTESTS OUTSIDE AAMIR KHAN'S RESIDENCE
Hundreds of activists of the Hindu Sena on Tuesday staged a vociferous demonstration outside the home of Bollywood megastar Aaamir Khan protesting against his statements on intolerance.
The activists shouted slogans like "Aamir Khan murdabad", "Aamir Khan chale jao", and attempted to force their way inside the actor's home in Bandra but were prevented by a substantial police presence there.
Later, around a dozen activists were detained and taken to the Bandra police station.
An official said police have deployed in adequate numbers to prevent any untoward incident.
On the issue of beefing up security, the official said that would be decided by a separate department depending on the requirement.
Meanwhile, while on a visit to Solapur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declined to comment on Aamir Khan's comment.
"I have better things to do than react to all such statements. There are more pressing issues of the state than talking about these things," Fadnavis told media persons.
In Pune, state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam termed Aamir Khan's comments as "treason" and said the actor was welcome to go to Pakistan if he felt so insecure in India.
"In India, we gave you so much love -- Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. We looked at your art and not your religion. Does it mean we have been feeding milk to a snake?" Kadam said.
In Satara, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday declined to react to Aamir Khan's remarks while offering condolences to the family of Col. Santosh Mahadik of the Indian Army who died fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
LET AAMIR'S VIEW BE HEARD, DEBATED: SAEED MIRZA
Celebrated actor Aamir Khan's views should be heard and debated, veteran award winning director Saeed Mirza said on Tuesday, while also objecting to the host of charges being levelled against the popular actor for his comments on "a sense of growing disquiet" in India.
"Look, you have points of view. Let them be heard. I heard about the statement of Aamir Khan this morning. In fact, I read about it. He has a point of view, let it be heard. We can debate it," Mirza told IANS on the sidelines of a parallel student's film festival organised by the students of the Film and Television Institute of India here.
Mirza, an alumnus of the FTII, has also directed critically appreciated films like "Ghashiram Kotwal", "Albert Pinto Ko Gussa KyOon Aata Hai" as well as the tele-serial "Nukkad".
The filmmaker was reacting to a comment made by Aamir during an interview on Monday, where he said: "Kiran (Khan's wife) and I have lived all our lives in India. For the first time, she said, 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers everyday. That does indicate that there is a sense of growing disquiet".
The comment followed outrage on social media well as from sympathisers of the ruling National Democratic Alliance government, who have attacked the actor-producer for his comment, something Mirza takes objection to.
"But you can't have a statement being made and charges being levelled against a person who has made that statement," Mirza said.
INTOLERANCE DEBATE GETTING CHAOTIC: A.R. RAHMAN
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman on Tuesday said the intolerance debate in India is becoming "chaotic", adding "we should set an example by resorting to non-violent ways to protest".
"Any type of revolt should be classical. It is becoming very chaotic. People are hitting each other. We should set an example because we come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi. We have shown the world how all revolution can be done without violence," Rahman said on the sidelines of Film Bazaar here.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan's intolerance comments created a stir in the society with sections of political parties criticising him, and some supporting him.
Aamir had shared that his wife Kiran Rao suggested leaving India in the face of intolerance. The comments came after Shah Rukh Khan also faced public wrath over his "extreme intolerance" comment. He was termed a "Pakistani agent".
Rahman, known as the 'Mozart of Madras', had also faced religious resistance over his "decision" to compose the music of "Muhammad: The Messenger of God".
The artist with international recognition said: "I have gone through something similar sometime ago. And I then also mentioned that nothing should be violent."
"We all are ultra civilised people. It is a chaotic protest . We should show to the world that we are one of the most civilised culture," he said while addressing a session at the annual film market.
AZAM KHAN WRITES TO AAMIR KHAN TO SYMPATHISE
Uttar Pradesh minister Mohd. Azam Khan on Tuesday sympathised with Aamir Khan over the backlash triggered by the Bollywood actor's revelation that his wife contemplated leaving India due to "growing intolerance" in the country.
In a three-page letter, urban development minister Khan said Aamir was a great and gifted actor and that "he shall not think on these lines as India was for all and that some comments from some people cannot be construed as opinion of the majority".
He also urged the actor to feel for himself how such harsh words and acts would be hurting the millions of commoners, as he himself was a star.
Likening the feelings of the actor on intolerance to his own, the minister, known for his penchant for controversies, went on to write that the Bollywood actor need not be demoralized with the conditions prevailing in the country, as millions of Muslims had chosen to stay back in India instead of going to Pakistan because of their faith in the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.
He also urged Aamir Khan to educate the illiterate Muslims that they should not be used by politicians. The Uttar Pradesh leader concluded his letter with three couplets, suggesting India was for all.
SAD THAT AAMIR, KIRAN RAO FEEL LIKE LEAVING INDIA: DIGVIJAYA
It was sad that Bollywood star Aamir Khan and his filmmaker wife Kiran Rao, who is a Hindu, felt like leaving India in the face of intolerance, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said on Tuesday.
Digvijaya Singh was talking to reporters after a press conference at the Congress state headquarters, after a review meeting of the state unit's executive committee.
"It's sad that Aamir Khan, who is an icon among film actors not only in India, but across the world, is feeling the same thing.
"His wife is Hindu, she has also felt it, that with this kind of uncultured and intolerant atmosphere, it looks like those who are fighting against this will have to leave the country. This is a serious issue," Digvijaya Singh said.
He described Kiran as a Hindu and a Brahmin by caste.
Digvijaya Singh was reacting to a comment made by Aamir Khan on Monday.
"Kiran and I have lived all our lives in India. For the first time, she said, 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day. That does indicate that there is a sense of growing disquiet," Aamir Khan had said.
The actor's comment has attracted sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with party MP Yogi Adityanath even equating it with treason.
"I saw a member of parliament who said Aamir Khan has given a statement which is tantamount to treason. I believe that the BJP MP does not know the meaning of treason," Digvijaya Singh said.
