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We love India, won't leave our country, says Aamir Khan

Aamir asserted in a media statement: "India is my country, I love it, I feel fortunate for being born here, and this is where I am staying."

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan on Wednesday 'categorically' declared that neither he nor his wife Kiran Rao had any intention of leaving India.
Reacting to the storm of criticism on social media to his comments over 'growing intolerance' in India, which led to Kiran suggesting that they leave the country, Aamir asserted in a media statement: "India is my country, I love it, I feel fortunate for being born here, and this is where I am staying."
Speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism awards function in Delhi on Monday, the actor had revealed that for the first time Kiran had suggested that they move out of India. "That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me," he said. "She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day. That does indicate that there is a sense of growing disquiet."
His remarks, however, drew strong criticism on social media, with people questioning his patriotism. Many called for the boycott of his films and products endorsed by Aamir. Actor Anupam Kher tweeted: "When did 'Incredible India' become 'Intolerant India' for you?, referring to the government's flagship tourism campaign in which Aamir had been featured as a brand ambassador.
Leaders from the BJP also lashed out at the actor for his comments. Demonstrations were held outside his Bandra home here on Tuesday and the police had to step up security.
On Wednesday, Aamir came out with the statement, noting that he stood by everything that he had said at the interactive session at the awards function. "To all those people who are calling me anti-national, I would like to say that I am proud to be Indian, and I do not need anyone's permission nor endorsement for that. To all the people shouting obscenities at me for speaking my heart out, it saddens me to say you are only proving my point."
He also thanked all the people who stood by him. "We have to protect what this beautiful and unique country of ours really stands for," said Aamir. "We have to protect its integrity, diversity, inclusiveness, its many languages, its culture, its history, its tolerance, it's concept of 'ekantavada,' it's love, sensitivity and its emotional strength." He ended by quoting Rabindranath Tagore's poem 'Where the mind is without fear.'
Launching an attack on Khan for alleging growing intolerance in the country, the Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece, Saamna, on Wednesday said: "We wonder where this 'Idiot Ranchhoddas' will finally go... Pakistan, Afghanistan, Paris, Brussels or Mali - make it clear...
"If he doesn't find this country safe, then he must stop empty rants about 'Satyamev Jayate' and patriotism," it said.
With inputs from IANS
ntihin@khaleejtimes.com

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