Vijayvargiya retracts tweets on Shah Rukh Khan; BJP distances itself from controversy

November 04, 2015 01:00 pm | Updated March 24, 2016 11:05 pm IST - New Delhi

Actor Shah Rukh Khan. Photo: Aruanangsu Roy Chowdhury

Actor Shah Rukh Khan. Photo: Aruanangsu Roy Chowdhury

Under fire for his remark against actor Shah Rukh Khan, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday withdrew his controversial tweets. The leader said that had there been intolerance in India, “Shah Rukh would not have been the most popular actor after Amitabh [Bachchan]. Some people have drawn a different meaning from my tweet.”

The leader had triggered a controversy when he tweeted that Shah Rukh’s “soul” is in Pakistan though he lives in India. His remarks had come a day after the actor said there is “extreme intolerance” in the country.

“My intention was not to hurt anyone. I take back my yesterday’s tweet,” he said on microblogging site Twitter this morning.

Party distances itself from remark

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Mr. Vijayvargiya said is “not the view of the BJP”.

“We have not seen what exactly he has said. What is reported is not the view of the party. We don’t normally comment on individuals also. We have no problems with Shah Rukh Khan. He is a great actor. Undoubtedly people admire him. But what exactly Vijayvargiya has said I have not gone through it,” Mr. Naidu said.

Support for the actor

Mr. Vijayvargiya had come under attack over his tweets against Shah Rukh Khan with Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O’Brien terming them “sickening”.

“Sickening remarks against Shah Rukh Khan by BJP general secretary also Bengal in-charge. What kind of attitude is this? Everyone else is bad and only you are good?” Derek had said in a statement.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also come out in support of the Bollywood superstar.

“We r all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India,” he had tweeted.

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