New Delhi: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan became the butt of criticism, jokes and Internet trolls when he said that he feels intolerance is growing in India. At a recent award function he said that his wife Kiran Rao had suggested him to leave the country fearing for the safety of his kids.
After this incident, Aamir faced a barrage of opposition criticism. From his effigies being burnt to his posters being blackened, from BJP's backlash to Anupam Kher's tweets; Aamir has seen a lot in the past 48 hours.
Amidst all this noise, some feel that Aamir Khan's statements were misconstrued. In his statement, Aamir had said, When I sit at home and talk to Kiran. (Wife) Kiran and I have lived all our lives in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India?” and in the same breath he added, “That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me.”
This explains that leaving the country is not something which makes him comfortable. He also voiced strong opinions against violence of any sort by saying, “We look upon to our elected representatives, whether it is at the Centre or the state level, to take a strong stance, make strong statements and speed up the legal process to prosecute cases. When we see it happening there is a sense of security but when we don't see that happening there is a sense of insecurity.”
He also said, “At these unfortunate moments leaders should make statements that are reassuring to the citizens.”
Not to forget, Aamir also took a clear stand against terrorism. Through out the interview, his replies reflected that he doesn't like terrorism being associated with Islam. He also said that if makes him uncomfortable when he is seen as representation of only Muslims. He asserted, “Why should I only represent just Muslims and not everyone. You know, so in the capacity of myself as an individual if I am representing my country of society then I am representing everyone. I will stand for everyone. My birth may be in a Muslim household but if I speak it's for everyone.”
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Earlier this month, superstar Shah Rukh Khan had also spoken on the matter. Though, he invited hatred, the intensity was far less than latter's.
Shah Rukh's statement that “I am not going to leave the country” was seen differently from Aamir's defense today “Neither I nor my wife Kiran have any intentions of leaving the country.”
Aamir while sharing his fears did not think about the backlash before speaking, he did not anticipate that he would start a political row. Unlike Shah Rukh who handled the issue sensitively, maybe Aamir out of his emotions said something which failed to deliver the right message. All many Indians could understand from his speech was being a Muslim he wants to leave the country which made him a superstar.
A plausible explanation as to why Aamir faced more outrage than Shah Rukh could be that citizens understood the latter's context. SRK gave his opinion on national television which was viewed by millions. In contrast Aamir, voiced his at an award function where the context was lost as soon as his statements went viral.
Although, later both the actors clarified their stands. SRK was seen taking a diplomatic U-turn when he said he never said India was intolerant. But, today Aamir in his defence said, “I stand by what I said.”
Aamir might have defended himself but if he would have taken a leaf out of Shah Rukh's book, he would have saved himself loads of trouble.
