Aamir Khan’s recent revelation that he and his family feels unsafe in India’s current climate of rising hate and intolerance has landed the actor in some serious trouble. In other words, its hunting season and the latest prey is Aamir Khan. During his appearance at the eighth edition of Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards, the 50-year-old actor confessed, “Kiran (his wife) and I have lived all our life in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India…She fears for her child, she fears about what the atmosphere around us will be.”
From politicians to Bollywood heavyweights, the actor is under attack from all corners. To add fuel to fire, Shiv Sena has also joined the vicious attack circle and has come out swinging against the actor.
“In recent past, some individuals have assumed the responsibility of judging whether India is a ‘tolerant’ or ‘intolerant’ nation… Aamir Khan has joined this business by becoming a self-appointed mullah, which is sad for those who love him,” said Shiv Sena in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana.
Attacking Aamir Khan further, the Shiv Sena said in Saamana’s editorial, “After filling up his coffers, he speaks nonsense in the name of freedom of speech… Actually, such persons already enjoy too much freedom.”
This bickering match between Shiv Sena has also brought Shah Rukh Khan’s name back in the story. SRK, who turned 50 this month, and gave a series of interviews in which he spoke about India’s rising intolerance, was also attacked by Shiv Sena in a similar fashion.
“Dilip Kumar was born in Pakistan and has love for his birthplace… But after the controversy, he never proclaimed he was scared and wanted to leave the country. Then why do Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan talk like this? Aren’t they aware that Muslims are safer in India compared to even Muslim countries?” the Sena said. “In India, Muslims enjoy complete freedom to practice their religion and all their demands are fulfilled by governments – yet Aamir’s wife (Kiran Rao) finds this country ‘intolerant’”.
In addition, several Bollywood stars like Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Ram Gopal Verma and Rishi Kapoor have also slammed the actor. Times of India is also reporting that Aamir Khan has been slapped with sedition charges in Kanpur sessions court for his “intolerant India” statement, which, according to lawyer Manoj Kumar Dixit, who filed the suit, tantamount to sedition.
Those who have risen to Aamir’s defense include filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Sanjay Gupta, musician-singer Vishal Dadlani and veteran director Saeed Mirza.
Courtesy: InStep Today (The News)
