Patriot or anti-national? Here's what they said about Shah Rukh Khan's 'intolerance' statement

Shah Rukh Khan started a storm on his 50th birthday on Monday when he stated in television interviews that he believes India is growing more intolerant. “Not being secular is the worst kind of crime you can do as a patriot,” he said, adding later that his father fought for the freedom of the country from the British and “no one can question my patriotism”. That’s exactly what certain leaders from the BJP did. They called for him to go to Pakistan even as their own party officially denied sharing their sentiment. Naturally, several people came out in support of Khan. Among the supporters were Sena, BJP and Congress leaders, and celebrities from the film world Here’s what everyone from politicians to Bollywood celebs had to say about the controversy surrounding Shah Rukh Khan’s statements. [caption id=“attachment_2496176” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shah Rukh Khan. AFP[/caption] Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP General Secretary  Kailash Vijayvargiya started it all when, in a series of tweets in Hindi , said that SRK’s mind lives in Pakistan. “Shah Rukh Khan lives in India but his mind is in Pakistan. His films earn crores here but he sees India as an intolerant nation. If this is not sedition, then what is it? India is on the verge of becoming a permanent member of the United Nations (Security Council), but everyone including Pakistan are conspiring to derail it. To make India an intolerant nation is part of this conspiracy. Shah Rukh is now singing in the same tune of intolerance along with Pakistan and other anti-India forces. When hundreds were killed in the 1993 Mumbai serials blasts where was Shah Rukh Khan? When Mumbai was attacked on 26/11 where was Shah Rukh then? Today the whole world is taking note of India’s leadership, at this juncture talking about rising intolerance is like weakening India globally. After facing criticism for a day, he retracted his statements by tweeting in Hindi, “If there was intolerance in India, then Shah Rukh would not be the most popular actor after Amitabh (Bachchan) . Some people misunderstood my tweet. My aim was not to hurt anyone. I take back my yesterday’s tweet." Yogi Adityanath, BJP MP Controversial BJP MP Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday compared Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of Mumbai carnage. “I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and (26/11 mastermind) Hafiz Saeed… We welcome that people go there (Pakistan), at least people who defame India will understand their own originality,” he said.   Ramdev “If he is a true patriot, he should return all the money he earned after winning the Padma Shri to the PM relief fund, in case he plans to return the award," was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP MP “I want the world to know that he (Shah Rukh) received an Enforcement Directorate (ED) notice on 26 October 26 and India became intolerant on the 1 or 2 November," PTI quoted the senior minister as saying. “And, when it comes to intolerance, then probably they are those illiterate people who do not know what the history of the country had been under Congress rule. He should raise his voice on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Mirchpur or Gohana incidents. Several such incidents happened when Congress was in power but then they were mum.” Najma Heptulla, minority affairs minister “Had Shah Rukh Khan not said such things, my party men would not have commented anything. He gave them a point to talk on, they didn’t start talking themselves,” agencies quoted her as saying. Anand Sharma, Congress spokesperson “Shah Rukh Khan is an icon of cosmopolitan India. He has the right to speak his mind as a citizen of India. The BJP can’t question anyone. Shah Rukh Khan expressed his concren and independent opinion as a citizen of the country. The general secretary of the BJP raised questions on his nationality and doubted his patriotism. Whatever was said yesterday, the more we condemn it, less it is. What message are they giving to the people?” Sharma was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP “This country is tolerant and the Muslims are tolerant as well. Shah Rukh Khan should not be targeted only because he is a Muslim, " Sanjay Raut told _PTI._ Nalin Kohli, BJP spokesperson Adityanath’s comments are “incorrect” and “do not reflect the core belief of BJP or that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He added, “There cannot be any comparison of any law-abiding Indian citizen with a terrorist like Hafiz Saeed, certainly not Khan who is a much loved and respected Indian national and artiste,” BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. Sadhvi Prachi, VHP leader “Shah Rukh Khan is an agent of neighbouring country Pakistan as he reflects their (Pakistan’s) ideology. Such a man should go to Pakistan,” was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.  Digvijay Singh Digvijay Singh tweeted his support, saying, “I strongly condemn Kailash Vijavargiya’s statement. Modi should personally apologise to Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh don’t worry we stand by you.”

I strongly condemn Kailash Vijavargiya's statement. Modi should personally apologise to Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh don't worry we stand by you.

— Digvijaya Singh (@digvijaya_28) November 4, 2015

Arvind Kejriwal Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted, “We r all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India.”

We r all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 3, 2015

More from Entertainment

Who is Anuparna Roy, the filmmaker who made history by winning Orizzonti Award at the Venice Film Festival? 'Malaika Arora had differences with Salman Khan over her outfit in Dabangg, they are conservative Muslims,' reveals Abhinav Kashyap

Anupam Kher Despite his recent statements about intolerance and the awards controversy being not the same as Khan’s, Anupam Kher also tweeted support, “Some members of the BJP really need to control their tongue & stop talking rubbish about @iamsrk. He is a national icon & We r PROUD of him.”

Some members of the BJP really need to control their tongue & stop talking rubbish about @iamsrk. He is a national icon & We r PROUD of him.

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 4, 2015

Vishal Dadlani Vishal Dadlani came out strongly against the Khan haters. “He loves India more than most! It’s time for those that SRK has inspired, supported & worked with, to stand by him!”

He loves India more than most! It's time for those that SRK has inspired, supported & worked with, to stand by him! #IStandWithSRK

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) November 4, 2015