Actor Aamir Khan, under fire for his remarks on the growing intolerance in the country, said on Wednesday that the values the nation represents should be safeguarded.
In a statement, he said: “We have to protect what this beautiful and unique country of ours really stands for. We have to protect its integrity, diversity, inclusiveness, its many languages, its culture, its history, its tolerance, its concept of ekantavada, its love, sensitivity and its emotional strength.”
While the BJP accused him of “being misled”, the Shiv Sena charged him with “speaking in a language of treachery.”
Describing him as ‘Ranchhoddas,’ a character he essayed in 3 Idiots , Sena mouthpiece Saamna attacked the “Khan clan” in Bollywood.
“The Khan community in the film industry speaks of fleeing the country. Let it be known what calamity has befallen them. The film PK which ridiculed Hindu deities garnered hundreds of crores. Was this because the country is intolerant?” the editorial asked.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar slammed the criticism published in Saamna and said the tone and tenor of the reactions gave more credence to the actor’s statement on intolerance.
