Despite the fact that the Oxford had come up with an emoticon as the ‘Word of the Year’, Indians might shrug their shoulders to such a decision as the term ‘intolerance’ grabs that title for them, by virtue of its recurrent hits in the societal screens and routine events. After a year-long events that displayed hard-core scepticisms against the mounting intolerant attitude towards the minorities in the country, Aamir Khan, the acclaimed Bollywood actor, has become the most recent one to join the chorus of polemics on the bourgeoning issue of this ‘disorder’ in the social psyche.
In a sign of bidding adieu to the hitherto-held silence, Mr. Khan expressed his deep concerns over the status quo which renders continuous fear and insecurity bound by uncertainty among the populace. He also added that he is ‘alarmed’ on account of the various events, without any specific underlining, that were rolled out within the past eight to ten months in the country. Mr. Khan, who was speaking at Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards symposium in New Delhi this Monday, also revealed the discomfort of his family out of the saddening instances which have been left untouched by the political circles for their gains. He neither hesitated to unveil his wife’s, Kiran Rao, demand to leave India owing to the abnormal circumstances prevailing in the country.
Followed by his statement, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi as well displayed his sympathy and vocal backing with Aamir’s anxiety. Responding to the query over his opinion on the series of protests, he assured his support for every such attempts as long as they are peaceful and non-violent. Mr. Khan, a Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, availed himself of the opportunity to accord his support to those eminent personalities from various walks of life, which comprise historians to scientists, in their gestures of returning the awards as a token of back-talk. Impotency of the decision makers contributes to the worsening of the situation, he added.
Mr. Anupam Kher, the veteran Bollywood actor, took a different turn on Aamir’s views and questioned that since when the ‘Incredible India’ had become ‘Intolerant India’ for him. Mr. Kher also ridiculed the latter through tweeting that to which country Kiran Rao would like to move out. He also reminded that it’s this country which made him – AAMIR KHAN – along with the need to spread hope than fear.
Talking on the cause of terror, particularly the Paris attack, Mr. Khan opined that those Muslims who kill innocents are not the adherents of Islam, but terrorists. Same is the case with anyone who owes his affiliation to any particular religion, he included. He also demanded to strip the religious nomenclature while speaking of a terrorist. Anyone who indulges in terrorist acts lacks himself of religion.
The 50-year old actor drew parallels with the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots and advanced that no situation holds a status of worse or better in relation to the past or present. Any instances that affect the tolerant fabric of the society require to be up-rooted at any cost, he concluded.
Last Updated on by kalidaspandian
Top Comments