BJP calls Aamir ‘co-actor’ in Cong’s anti-Modi plot

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 24

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan today became the centre-point of a fresh political slugfest over a raging debate on intolerance in the country. The BJP advised the actor not to fall into the Congress’ “trap” by becoming part of its “conspiracy” against the NDA government while the opposition party asked the ruling regime not to “bully” those who questioned its policies.  

Edit: Aamir Khan speaks up

Aamir had yesterday said he was “alarmed” by the rising number of incidents of intolerance in the country with his wife, Kiran Rao, suggesting they leave India.

Apart from the BJP, the remarks earned the actor criticism on the social media and also from a prominent Muslim leader, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi. 

The BJP initially did not say so in as many words but as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted support for Aamir, the saffron party hit back: “The Bollywood actor is a co-actor in the Congress’ game plan to create a negative environment in the country and a wrong perception of the Modi government before the world through a fabricated campaign.” 

Rahul, on the other hand, advised the NDA government not to “bully or threaten” people who questioned its policies. “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. That's the way to solve problems in India--not by bullying, threatening & abusing!" he said in a series of tweets. 

The Congress leader’s reaction, alleged BJP leader Shrikant Sharma, was “proof” to show that Aamir’s views were part of the Congress’ “structured strategy” ahead of the Parliament session. “He (Aamir Khan) is not going anywhere... he is under no threat,” Sharma said.

“The Congress is running a campaign to divert attention from cases of corruption facing the party and its leaders. The campaign has intensified before the Parliament session. Aamir Khan is a big star with a huge fan following. He should not fall into the Congress’ ‘makarjaal’ (trap).

“Aamir Khan is an actor who makes a lot of money from films. But there are lots of poor people in the country who are dependent upon other forms of livelihood like jobs, which can only be added when more investment flows into the country. A statement like this can disturb the investment climate in the country. Anti-India elements can misuse it to damage India’s image,” Sharma said. 

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju also termed Khan’s comments as “misplaced”. He said the incidents of communal violence had seen a decline after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge. “Such statements only bring disrepute to the country and the Prime Minister,” he said. 

Rijiju said Home Ministry statistics suggest that 86 people were killed till October this year in communal violence compared to 90 in the corresponding period last year. 

Owaisi, the Hyderabad-based prominent Muslim leader, too disapproved of Khan’s stance: “I would have never said what Aamir said. We have seen numerous riots but we still continue to live here as it’s our country. We will not succumb to nonsense talks… We will do disservice to those who fought for us (if we leave). We will struggle and strive to live here to improve the country." 

Stop bullying: Cong

"Instead of branding all those who question the government and Modiji as unpatriotic…the government would do better to reach out to people. That's the way to solve problems--not by bullying, & abusing" - Rahul Gandhi, Cong Vice-President 

‘Communal violence down’

"The incidents of communal violence have seen a decline since PM Narendra Modi took charge. Statistics say that 86 people were killed till October this year in communal violence compared to 90 in the same period last year" - Kiren Rijiju, MOS (Home)