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Let's hear the truth about intolerance

For an actor known for his reticence to engage with the media, unless he has a movie or issue to promote, unlike many from his ilk who are known to open up at the mere presence of the mic, Aamir Khan's recent comments about his alarm at the growing sense of "intolerance" in India has met with a wide range of responses. While speaking at an event on Monday evening, the actor, while referring to the "growing atmosphere of intolerance" spoke about how his wife Kiran Rao, alarmed at the "sense of insecurity" around them, had brought up the topic of moving out of India.
Some people have lauded the actor for being courageous enough to air his views, however partisan they may sound. Critics have labelled him as "unpatriotic" for daring to utter the word 'intolerance'. Some from Bollywood even chastised him for promoting an atmosphere of fear when he should be giving hope to people. Interestingly enough Aamir's statement echoes those made recently by another Khan, Shah Rukh.
While celebrities, by virtue of the public space they occupy, indeed have a responsibility when they speak on issues, people need to ascertain the facts (not many are aware that Aamir went on to say: "That's a disastrous statement for Kiran to make.")
The actor was but merely echoing what certain sections of the population feels today - and these are voices, which cannot and should not be silenced.
In a democracy everyone has the right to be heard. But Aamir perhaps also needs to learn that airing a private conversation in public has its repercussions. Forget the masses, we are more eager to know how Kiran reacted to the whole issue - after all not everyone's personal views make headlines the next day.