Copyright panel row: Sibal asks Aamir to stay

A day after the controversy over Aamir Khan quitting from a copyright panel broke out, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today stepped in asking the actor to withdraw his resignation.

He said seven other members of the panel, including lyricist Javed Akhtar with whom Aamir had a spat, have written to him, saying that they would like the actor to continue in the committee.

They have requested Sibal to persuade the actor to withdraw his resignation.

Sibal told reporters that he has spoken to Aamir about the letter of the members on the issue.

"I have told Aamir that they are not questioning your integrity and you should withdraw your resignation. He said he will consider it," Sibal said.

On Tuesday, Aamir resigned from the 10-member committee set up by Sibal to suggest changes in the 53-year-old Copyright Act, following reported differences with Akhtar. In a letter to Sibal, Aamir said he was opting out of the panel as he was publicly being attacked by some people.

The members of the panel have said that they are not questioning the integrity of Aamir.

"We would like the entire committee as constituted in your presence to continue with its appointed task. We also want to plainly assert that there has never been any doubt about Aamir's intentions in engaging with this process, far less his integrity," the letter said.