Aamir Khan's remarks controversy: Satyamev Jayate cannot be morphed to fit into a political point of view

It was purely coincidental that less than 24 hours after Hindi film superstar Aamir Khan made his bombshell of a statement — that he was alarmed by the rising intolerance in the country and his wife Kiran Rao had discussed with him idea of leaving India because of concern security to their son — that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of India’s tradition of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ (universal brotherhood) before a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora in Singapore and a sense of confidence that the world was reposing in India.

Althought the context of Modi’s speech was different, the message to the domestic audience was not lost. It is also incidental that only two days later, Parliament is set to open for the Winter Session, thus messages emanating from prominent individuals, prime minister, political parties, ruling as well as Opposition is significant.

“If we keep on condemning ourselves, why would the world look towards us? We have to build a nation where the world’s best is in India and our best is amalgamated with the world,” Modi said.

He also responded to the criticism that he was spending lot more time touring around the globe saying that when he was chief minister, people used to ask about his acceptability in the world and his opinion on Indian foreign policy; and when he is touring the world to propound India’s cause and interests, questions were being asked about why he was touring abroad so much. He later added that the world has changed today.

“In this day and age, it is not possible to have relations only with four-five countries. The world is not polarised. Countries have become interdependent and even smaller countries have their importance. There is no country in the world that can claim it can do things on its own. Relations have to be continually refreshed… India needed FDI, which also stands for First Develop India,” he told the crowd that lapped up his every sentence with rapturous applause.

Around the time he has been on tour to Malaysia and Singapore, two messages have been doing the rounds on WhatsApp and other social media. The first reads “Modi missing” yet again and the other carries statistics — which are not immediately verifiable — stating: “first sixteen months of their first term foreign travel by country head: Putin 41 countries 91 days; Cameron 41 countries 71 days; Xi 27 countries 64 days; Modi 29 countries in 69 days. Only in India, a class of people find it funny.”

The central thrust of Modi’s speech in Singapore was on building confidence in India as a destination to invest, work and live.

Modi must be aware of that since Sunday night, Aamir has lent his starry weight to the intolerance debate and named his wife, and referred to his young son to add substance to his argument. He reignited the intolerance debate, which had become somewhat dormant since the results of the Bihar elections were declared. He would also have known that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a series of tweets had supported the actor and attacked his government. He must also have known that Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien in an article in The Indian Express, has said that his party would prefer to have a debate on intolerance and such other issues than see Parliamentary disruptions from the word ‘go’.

Thus, under the circumstances, Modi’s words that his singular motto was “development, development and development to make India progress and become modern” carry additional meaning.

Hours before he spoke in Singapore, his party fielded its leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain to respond to the intolerance charges made by Aamir saying: “India has given you (Aamir) name, fame and wealth. Now you are a big star, but don’t use that tag to adversely propagate against India. It looks like Aamir’s statement is to tarnish the country’s image. Your statement will give you publicity but it blemishes India’s reputation.”

“It is Incredible India (Aamir is a brand ambassador of the Incredible India campaign) and please don’t tarnish it. Don’t be under any illusion. Wherever you will go from here you will see intolerance, be it the USA, Europe, Turkey, Syria, Afganistan, etc. India’s Muslim population is greater than whole of Arab world and Europe. Muslims can’t find a better country than India and can’t find a neighbour better than one from Hindu community. It is the only country that does not see the religion of an artist and appreciates his work on merit. Who are you taking advice from? Aamir and I are of the same age, and are friends. Come, let’s debate why you want to leave India. Intolerant are those who don’t have the capacity to tolerate a popular and elected prime minister. The spectacles through which Modi sees do not distinguish between Hindus and Muslims, but sees them all as Indians,” Shahnawaz said.

He also came out strongly against Rahul Gandhi for latching on to Aamir’s statement.

Again, the thrust of BJP spokesman’s argument was that India was “incredible” and “inclusive” and worldwide confidence was being generated under Modi’s leadership, and so the term Satyamev Jayate can’t be turned upside down to suit someone’s political point of view.