Rahul Gandhi backs Aamir Khan on 'intolerance' issue

The Bollywood actor is being slammed by BJP for saying that his family is disturbed at the growing disquiet in the country

With BJP and its sympathisers pouncing on Bollywood star Aamir Khan who stated at public function that he and his family were disturbed at the growing disquiet in the country; Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has spoken up in support of the actor. Khan said that his wife Kiran Rao had wondered if they should move out of India.

In a series of tweets this morning from his official handle @OfficeOfRG Gandhi said, “Instead of branding all those who question the Govt & Modiji- as unpatriotic, anti national or 'motivated'. The Govt would do better to reach out to people to understand what's disturbing them. That's the way to solve problems in India- not by bullying, threatening & abusing!"

Khan’s statements come weeks after another Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan had spoken out, about being uncomfortable with the atmosphere of 'intolerance'.

Significantly, Bollywood actors like Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon who are either BJP party members or sympathisers lashed out against Khan. A volley of BJP spokespersons even labeled Aamir Khan as a Congress mouthpiece.

The Congress Vice President’s statements were followed by several party spokesperson speaking out against the attempt to muzzle Khan. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “What Aamir Khan is saying the whole of India is saying, I only hope and trust that he will not be referred to as a 'Congress man'” .

Chief whip of the Congress in the Lok Sabha has already moved a notice asking for a discussion on the ontolerance issue, as have other Opposition parties.