Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister Mohd. Azam Khan on Tuesday sympathised with Aamir Khan over the backlash triggered by the Bollywood actor's revelation that his wife contemplated leaving India due to "growing intolerance" in the country.
In a three-page letter, urban development minister Khan said Aamir was a great and gifted actor and that "he shall not think on these lines as India was for all and that some comments from some people cannot be construed as opinion of the majority".
He also urged the actor to feel for himself how such harsh words and acts would be hurting the millions of commoners, as he himself was a star.
Likening the feelings of the actor on intolerance to his own, the minister, known for his penchant for controversies, went on to write that the Bollywood actor need not be demoralized with the conditions prevailing in the country, as millions of Muslims had chosen to stay back in India instead of going to Pakistan because of their faith in the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.
He also urged Aamir Khan to educate the illiterate Muslims that they should not be used by politicians. The Uttar Pradesh leader concluded his letter with three couplets, suggesting India was for all.
While talking to reporters later, Azam said, “What he (Aamir) has said is not about intolerance but a reality and he should not be targeted for it."
He said that whatever the actor said were feelings of his wife, a Hindu who is insecure about the future of her children under the present circumstances.
"When Aamir Khan's wife is not feeling safe, can you imagine what the common people might be feeling," he asked.
(With inputs from agencies)
