Nagpur: After statements made by some BJP leaders against ace Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan triggered outrage while senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya retracted his comments, Sadhavi Prachi added salt to the injuries and were fueled by Member of Parliament Yogi Adityanath with a similar tone and tenor.
The statement said “Shah Rukh Khan lives in India, but his heart is in Pakistan. His films make crores here but he finds India intolerant”.
Nagpur Today presents the reactions of some prominent citizens and youth of Nagpur against such comments made by leaders.
Assistant Director of movie Mike, National Award Winner in Theatre for Best Supporting Actor, Aditya Sharma said that I condemn comments outright. This is a free country and everybody has a right to express his or her opinion. Having said that, Aditya said that, one should consider the implications of making such inflammatory statements against such an acclaimed actor. He further said the role of Muslims in the freedom struggle too was equally vital. These so called leaders are criticizing such esteemed Actors and pass comments against them is not accepted and does not go well with the party image.
Aditya called this a Political stunt by some leaders and is done only by those leaders who want name and fame. He opined that such leaders should prove their patriotism with their actions and deeds and not by such hate speeches.
Business entrepreneur and socialite Monica Bhagwagar while expressing her anger and outrage against such comments made by some political leaders said that she is very perturbed. She termed such comments as unkind, uncalled-for, uncharitable and unjustified on fellow Muslim brethren. These comments have been made only because he is a Muslim. Similarly the comment made by Sadhvi is really unpalatable and unwarranted. She further said that we want peace and harmony in this country and such leaders are breaking the fabric of national integrity and harmony. She said that Shahrukh Khan is married to a Hindu girl and is living amicably with each other. She claimed that Shahrukh Khan has taken India on global map. Only because of his contribution has he been awarded many degrees from many foreign Universities and gathered international laurels. He got this as an Indian and not as a Muslim. Why should he justify his actions every-time simply because he is a Muslim?
Such kind of comments made by such politicians especially on social media will only display a wrong image about a social unrest in the country to the other nations. This is sending very wrong signals in the International market and may act as a deterrent for their investment in our country.
Information Technology Executive Tejashree Gundeti said that such kind of unwarranted comments are exceeding the limits of tolerance. Such hate speeches made by politicians especially for political mileage speaks volumes about their ulterior motives. She said that Shahrukh Khan is one actor who has strived and got a good name for the country especially in the movie realm.
A Front Office Executive of a Telecom Company Aabha Chavan said that she is a die-hard fan of Shahrukh Khan and opined that such political leaders just make such statements for deriving political mileage and popularity. However, they forget that they are hated by the masses for their comments.
A student of Masters in Commerce Pallavi Raut while expressing her anguish and rage said that she does not know why some so-called leaders indulge in spreading hatred among the masses? She says that we need peace and harmony in the society. We live amicably with people irrespective of the religion, caste or creed. It is such leaders who bring about disharmony.
Social Activist and Workers’ Union Leader Jammu Anand said that Shahrukh Khan’s father was a freedom fighter and that nobody should be questioned of one’s integrity towards one’s motherland simply on the basis of one’s religion. No one should have to explain his or her love for the motherland. Jammu Anand said that Shahrukh’s comments, on the growing intolerance is only vindicated by the sharp and immediate comments drawn from politicians. Jammu Anand added that this intolerance is created by these leaders for their own ulterior motives.
By Samuel Gunasekharan
