BJP reacts sharply to Aamir Khan,s remarks on intolerance

Aamir at an event said that he and his wife, movie director Kiran Rao had a chat where they considered leaving the nation as they deemed the present situation of the country to be too dangerous for their kids.

"Kiran and I have lived all our lives in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India? That’s a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers everyday. That does indicate that there is a sense of growing disquiet."

Aamir's statement have injected fresh blood in the ongoing debate on intolerance.

Responding to his claims, the BJP said that it is an individual's choice to leave the country.

Downplaying Aamir's claim about intolerence, BJP spokeperson Nalin Kohli was quoted by the Indian Express as saying, "There have been incidents, but we cannot allow the exceptions to become the defining character of India. India was, is and always will be a tolerant society.”

Kohli further added, “The only time we have seen intolerance in India is during the Emergency under Indira Gandhi. Nobody could even express themselves freely. Where is that situation in the country after that? No less than the President and Prime Minister have spoken about how tolerant a society we are."

Actor Anupam Kher, who had earlier organised a protest march against the returning of awards, also came to BJP's aid.

Kher tweeted: "Dear @aamir_khan. Did you ask Kiran which country would she like to move out to? Did you tell her that this country has made you AAMIR KHAN."

It was followed by a series of other tweets, where Kher took on his Bollywood colleague.

"Dear @aamir_khan. Did you tell Kiran that you have lived through more worse times in this country & but you never thought of moving out," Kher wrote.

Kher also took on Aamir's stance, who is seen promoting the country in its Incredible India advertisements.

"Dear @aamir_khan. When did ‘Incredible India’ become ‘Intolerant India’ for you? Only in the last 7-8 months? #AtithiDevoBhavah."

"Dear @aamir_khan Presumed country has become #Intolerant. Wat do u suggest 2 millions of Indians? Leave India? Or wait till regime changes?"

Kher also urged Aamir to stop spreading fear.

Kher wrote: "Dear @aamir_khan. #SatyamevaJayate u talked about evil practices but gave Hope. So even in ‘Intolerant’ times u need 2 spread Hope not Fear."