BOOM December 2015 | Page 28

C OVER STORY Everything you should know about Aamir Khan's intolerance controversy B ollywood superstar Aamir Khan found himself in the centre of a political storm over his remarks on intolerance, with the BJP sharply criticising him and the Congress stoutly defending him. The actorproducer's candid remarks at an awards event in New Delhi the previous day set Twitter abuzz and left the film fraternity divided. Aamir had said: "For the last six to eight months, there has been a growing despondency I would say. Kiran (wife Kiran Rao) and I have lived all our life in India. When I sit at home and talk to Kiran, for the first time she said, 'Should we move out of India?' Now that's a very disastrous and a big comment to make to me." Criticism #1 Union Minister Kiren Rijiju sought to contradict Aamir's assertion and said: "The record shows that the number of incidents of communal violence in the country have come down since NDA came to power. Just to make a blatant statement that during NDA rule, the country has become intolerant, it unnecessarily tarnishes the image of the country." Support #1 The Congress, however, supported Aamir, with party vice president Rahul Gandhi suggesting that the Narendra Modi government reach out to the people to know why they felt disturbed. Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Instead of branding all those who question the government and Modiji as unpatriotic, anti-national or 'motivated', the government would do better to reach out to people to understand what's disturbing them." In a quick rebuttal, the BJP said Rahul Gandhi supporting Aamir's comment, reeks of a conspiracy to defame the nation. Criticism #2 "We completely reject the comment of Aamir Khan. He is not scared but he is trying to scare people. Aamir Khan makes a comment and Rahul Gandhi supports it. It becomes clear from Gandhi's comment that there is a conspiracy going on in the country to defame the nation," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told media persons in New Delhi. "India gave him all the laurels and respect. He should not forget that India made him a star," Hussain said. But of course, a complaint 28 | BOOM