Following the furore over his comment on ‘intolerance’, Aamir Khan has released his first statement to the media.
First let me state categorically that neither I, nor my wife Kiran, have any intention of leaving the country. We never did, and nor would we like to in the future. Anyone implying the opposite has either not seen my interview or is deliberately trying to distort what I have said. India is my country, I love it, I feel fortunate for being born here, and this is where I am staying.
Secondly, I stand by everything that I have said in my interview.
To all those people who are calling me anti-national, I would like to say that I am proud to be Indian, and I do not need anyone’s permission nor endorsement for that.
To all the people shouting obscenities at me for speaking my heart out, it saddens me to say you are only proving my point.
To all the people who have stood by me, thank you. We have to protect what this beautiful and unique country of ours really stands for. We have to protect its integrity, diversity, inclusiveness, its many languages, its culture, its history, its tolerance, it’s concept of ekantavada, it’s love, sensitivity and its emotional strength.
I would like to end my statement with a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, it’s a prayer really:
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free, Where the world has not been broken up into fragments, by narrow domestic walls, Where words come out from the depth of truth, Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection, Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way, Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit, Where the mind is led forward by thee, Into ever-widening thought and action, Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.
Jai Hind.
Aamir Khan.
To all the people shouting obscenities at me for speaking my heart out, it saddens me to say you are only proving my point.
100% sahi bola h
we all stand with you sir…let the haters bark…u have not done anything wrong….its their mistake who misinterprete your comment….i m getting a feeling that few of bollywood superstars are also behind this conspiracy….because they r scared of immense popularity of shehanshah khan….do as much as you can but ready for #dangalfirst400crmovie
#13monthstogo
@rohan verma – did u read his full comment..? y should he say sorry when he has not done anything wrong….grow up
@xzone – double standard are u and your srk….don’t dare to call shehanshah khan as double standard ever….he made an statement and now he is clarifying it…what’s wrong in that….
Proud of Aamir.. U hv all the right to speak ur heart out….. Let the haters bark…
@amir the megastar – true bro…loved ur comment
Do people still think PK was about making fun of God ?
@romance – what r u talking..he made fun of all the religions and not only hindus…morons like u are disgrace to this soceity
We also stand by the opinion we have of yours.
Just 1 word for u go to hell
@ Indicine- there is not concept of ekantvada in india so you should correct it by anekatavad look at below what aamir said-
To all the people who have stood by me, thank you. We have to protect what this beautiful and unique country of ours really stands for. We have to protect its integrity,diversity, inclusiveness, its many languages, its culture, its history, its tolerance, it’s concept of anekantavada, it’s love, sensitivity and its emotional strength.
@romance:
But you are a illegal migrant. Last year you had appealed all the Hindus to watch only Hindu actors’ movies and Muslims to watch Muslim actors’s movies. After creating so much controversy #indicine deleted it. Don’t lie now, all the regular visitors of #indicine know that.
Manusmriti chapter 5/verse 30…
“it’s not sinful to eat meat of eatable animals for Brahma has created both the eaters and eatables. ”
Mahashri Yagyavalkya says in shatpath Brahmin 3/1/2/21 that
“I eat beef because it is very soft and delicious ”
Rigveda 6/17/1
“indra used to eat the meat of cow and buffalo ”
Great Swami Vivekananda (complete work of swami Vivekananda vol 3 p536)
“you will be surprised to know according to ancient Hindu rites a man cannot be a good who does not eat beef”
“if we do not eat beef n mutton there will be no butcher. Eating meat is only allowable for people who do very hardwork and who are not going to be Bhaktas but if you are going to be a Bhakta avoid meat.
If a christian finds a piece of beef before him and does not eat to save his life or his friends he is sure to feel he did not do his duty. BUT if a Hindu dares to eat a piece or give another he is equally sure to feel he is not doing his duty. The Hindu training and education makes him.feel that way.
“the Brahmin at one time ate beef and married sudras. Calf was killed to please the guest. sudras cooked for Brahmin ”
The great Rantideva mentioned in Mahabarat and Puranas.
“Rantideva a virtuous king who fasted for 48days was even tested by Lord Vishnu as brahma and shiva disguised as the locals to test his generosity when about breaking his 48 days fast the. demanded for food. He recievesd blessings (moksha) from supreme lord.
Mind you he was very wealthy religious and charitable. It’s mentioned he would slaughter over 2000 cows Daily! to feed the poor people. !!
Everybody including Modi is wise enough being an Indian.to be aware of all these except as once the great Vivekananda said “they are just trying to be hypocrites, laws will keep on be inventing and coming up using religion… And that’. Exactly what Mr Modi is taking advantage of…. I might be wrong except some one tells me all these are never mentioned in Mahabarat or Puranas… Or Swami Vivekananda never mentioned it but before that will smile and look at them as victims of communal age old existing traditions that covered their eyes since the arrival of the so called Ashokas!!! nothing can change it!! ….. If the excuse is no in this book it’s written like this? in this vedeas it’s says this? this orthodox is old? or in this sanskriti it’s not mentioned or its only meant for secular castes…. Then why PM banning something that even in today’s India no one can bring a comprehensive quote where it specifies eating beef is haram!!!!! Even the Mahabarat almost all the characters were directly or indirectly said to eat beef!!! the one am very sure of is Indra!!
@Romance
Well said this time
We tolerated srk statement
But Aamir statement is totally intolerable
And worse thing is that he is sticked to his statement
We don’t want entertainment on cost of degrading nation image
The man is not at all shameful for his act
God help him
Aamir: Well, I think, if I am not mistaken there are so many people in this room who are much more knowledgeable than me so I am feeling intimidated to speak in front of all of you. But my understanding is that a lot of people from thecreative fraternity are protesting because of the growing discomfort they felt or the growing atmosphere of intolerance that they felt around them…growing sense of insecurity and disappointment with that, and as a result that was their way of showing that they are not happy with the situation.As an individual myself, as a part of the country, as a citizen, we read in newspapers what’s happening and certainly I have also been alarmed. I can’t deny that I am alarmed.. by a number of incidences. For any society it is very important to have a sense of security. I mean there will be acts of violence in world for different reasons. But for usas Indians, as a part of society to have a sense of security… two-three things are very important, I feel. One is sense of justice. If there is a wrong step that anyone takes, then a correct justice is what is required. Common man should feel that justice will be done. That’s what gives a sense of security. The second and very important sense of security is the people who are our elected representatives – people who we select to look after us for five years if at state level or Centre. When people take law in to their hands and when there is a sense of insecurity, we lookupon these people to take astrong stance, make strong statements and speed up the legal process to prosecute cases. When we see it happening there is a sense of security but when we don’t see that happening there is a sense of insecurity. So it does notmatter who the ruling party is. It’s happened across ages. On television debates, we see where one political party, in this case, the BJP which is ruling right now, is accused of various things. They said, ‘But what happened in 1984?’. But that doesn’t make right what’s happening now. What happened in ‘84 was disastrous and horrendous. At other times also, throughages, whenever there is a violent act, when an innocent person is killed, be it one or a large number, that’s very unfortunate. Andthese unfortunate moments are the ones when we look towards our leaders to take a strong step. Make statements thatare reassuring to the citizens.
Anant: you know but..
Aamir: To complete my answer that there is a sense of fear more than there was earlier. I do feel there is a sense of insecurity. When I sit at home and talk to Kiran. (Wife) Kiran and I have livedall our lives in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India? That’s a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make to me. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers everyday. That does indicate that there is a sense of growing disquiet…growing sense of despondency. You feel depressed, you feel low.. why is it happening? This feeling exists in me too.
Now can anybody tell me, what did Aamir say wrong?
Why is media only publishing that ONE SENTENCE about his wife out of context?
Shame on all who are criticising Aamir.
well said
@Shehanshah 8:23 pm : Take it easy. I didn’t call “Amir – a person” as double standard, but that comment was purely made keeping this statement in mind.
And refrain putting words like “Dare” etc, because I don’t think that you are capable enough to “dare” or “challenge” me.
@aisha Iqbal
By quoting false lines from Rigveda and using Swami Vivekananda’s name for quoting things he never said, you are actually damaging your own argument.
Your 1000 word rant is more like those chain whatsapp messages which claim insane shit like 35% Indians work in NASA without knowing *anything* about NASA.
Here’s a link which might give you some ‘real’ insights into the problem if you actually want to learn about the issue (chances are bleak because you have already begun preaching 100 crore Hindus how they don’t know anything about their own religion and how you had to take the ‘pain’ of Control C and Control V to explain them their religion and beliefs)
https://www.quora.com/Politics-of-India-1/Is-it-okay-to-ban-beef-in-a-secular-country-like-India-on-religious-grounds
Proud to be srk nd ak fan.
This Nation is not running on the principles of Ambedkar’s book of Constitution of India and Fundamental Rights And Duties. This Nation is running by RSS and BJP.
Love you Aamir n proud to have stood behind you- I knew you will always stay n try to better India…!
@Romance : What a stupid comparison. Saudi is not a Democratic country like India. They have a Royal lineage to run the country, first of all there is no film industry in Saudi nor any theaters or multiplexes. Even China won’t allow such things. Secondly, Saudi King gave a compensation of 85 lakhs INR per each injured person n 1.75 crore INR each deceased person irrespective of their citizenship during Pilgrimage mishap (Crane crash) in Makkah, have any Indian Govt (Congress or BJP) provide such compensation even to its citizens during so many attacks n mishaps happened in country in last 10 years ?? Stop being a fool !!!!!!!
Bang on Aamir. I definitely applaud him that he at least not said that I am taking my statement back and blah blah. As all the damage is already done so its great he stick to his opinion. I must say that it would be better if Aamir put his point on a balanced manner in which he failed somehow. I am still against his that speech.
@Xzone seriously, did you understand what I want to say through that comment, Can you tell me what would happen if we uninstall snapdeal. Why only snapdeal. Aamir is brand ambassador of Incredible India, why people not asking modi to remove him from that campaign, why are we roaming the tourist spot as Aamir endorsing about them. Is it not double standard. Why Aamir and srk asked to live in Pakistan from Shiv sena,bjp leaders and their followers. People are saying ‘jis thali me khaya usi ko badnaam kiya’. OK I want to ask them what beneficial they have done for this country, are we guys generally not upset with certain situation and cursing India, does that mean we are anti national. Whatever Aamir has achieved its not only because of public, he himself responsible for that also. Today if Modi is PM, do we say we made Modi what he is, no its actual his skill that able to attract million of people so does Aamir. When Aamir and srk deserves to live in Pakistan, why not Modi. Mr modi are saying not only in India but also in foreign that India was struggling in 60 years under previous government. Wasn’t he defamed India then. He is around 63-64 year old, it means he also born and raised under congress governance. Aamir is only a popular actor but Modi is now not only a bjp leader but also a PM. How could he can bash congress every time and everywhere. Congress is definitely a ruined party now that’s why modi is PM. My anger towards a so called nationalist public who easily declare someone anti national, if he said something inappropriate. All the good work and good deed has gone now. Now Aamir khan is a Traitor,A person who condemn India. What a logic.
Aamir world really proved that Country is intolerant, I only differ him with two points “thinking about leaving country”, & “it happened from last 8 month “.
@Babaji no I am not confused. We are living in this country where if an actor doing a show like Satyamev Jayte, rather than seeing positive side. We are interested that how much he earn from that show. There was a message circulated that Aamir donating all the money to Madarse, where terrorist got training, only for muslims and so on. When Aamir criticised to do a social awareness show, its our duty that We should hang him when he said something anti-national which was interpreted to some how Because Aamir is Muslim.
Bjp leaders one by one giving hate speeches, Their big leaders even calling Satrughan sinha a ‘dog’ who is already a BJP member from so many years. So when BJP person not respecting his words, who the hell Aamir is to questioning them.
The way Aamir got ridiculed, snapdeal appwapsi, protest against him outside of his house, calling him trator. Proved that India is intolerant.
@Aman why are you becoming laughing stock, you said that Aamir is less popular star so there is no controversy happened against him 2 days ago, now you saying Aamir following srk and did overacting.
Let’s see his srk clarifies himself.
http://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/shahrukh-khans-press-conference-full-statement/
Too long article, see the Aamir ones. Short and simple.
While Aamir said he remain to his opinion and stand by this. Srk trying to prove that his words taken in wrong gesture with so long speech. Now tell who is overreacting.
Aamir has at least guts to stand against his words unlike your star. I don’t want to create fan wars for this serious issue. please stop your ideology to yourself.
Read the other one @lisa already given the link.
Regarding Aamir he didn’t stepped back then when his film Fanna about to release and banned in Gujarat.
proud to be a fan of Mr.Aamir and Srk. well said both of u. india is a democratic country and everyone has a right to share their opinions. and request u to all communal parties plz dont spread negativity. first listen then bark.
@ aisha iqbal look below` there isn’t only one mean of any word. Sanskrit is not easy language specialy for those who have only 26 alphabates in their language -F) Ashwa Medha, Gomedha Yajnaand NaramedhaYajna are example of violenceFact:-One of the biggest accusation of cattle and cow slaughter comes in the context of the Yajnas that derived their names from different cattle like the Ashwamedh Yajna, the Gomedha Yajnaand the Nar-medh Yajna. Even by the wildest stretch of the imagination theword Medha would not mean slaughterin this context.It’s interesting to note what Yajurveda says about a horse——————————————————–Imam ma himsirekashafam pashum kanikradam vaajinam vaajineshuYajurveda 13.48.Do not slaughter this one hoofed animal that neighs and who goes with a speed faster than most of the animals.———————————————————-Aswamedha does not mean horse sacrifice at Yajna. Instead the Yajurveda clearly mentions that ahorse ought notto be slaughtered. In Shathapatha, Ashwa is a wordfor the nation or empire. The word medha does not mean slaughter. It denotes an act done in accordance to the intellect Alternatively it could mean consolidation, as evident fromthe root meaning of medha i.e. medhru san-ga-meRaashtram vaa ashwamedhahAnnam hi gauAgnirvaa ashwahAajyam medhah(Shatpath 13.1.6.3)Swami Dayananda Saraswati wrotein his Light of Truth:A Yajna dedicated to the glory, wellbeing and prosperity of the Rashtra the nation or empire is known as the Ashwamedh yajna. “To keep the food pure or to keep the senses under control, or to make the food pure or to make a good use of the rays of Sun or keep the earth free from impurities[clean] is called Gomedha Yajna”. “The word Gau also means the Earth and the yajna dedicatedto keep the Earth the environment clean is called Gomedha Yajna”. “The cremation of the body of a dead person in accordance withthe principles laid down in theVedas is called Naramedha Yajna”.
G) Honey and Milk are animalproducts, so why not meat?Another type ofmisconception has aroused because of change in the technique of doing things. For example, it is common to see violence onCows (injection,etc) whilst extracting milk.This experienceread with Vedassaying that”Milk is good” will create confusion in theminds of the ignorant. Vedas not only suggests on extracting the milk from Cow, but also suggests to do so with love and care. Another example would be honey. Extracting honey is like snatching away bees’ food. But that’s not the intent. Honey can be extracted without harming the bees [For large scale production, honey is collected in a smart way. There are wooden boxes of certain height and beescollect their honey inside it. As soon as levelof honey reaches the height of box, itstarts flowing down through the outer wall of box and is collected. So only extra honey, which was not essential for bees is collected and thus it can be consumed.]Meat on the other hand cannot be obtained by love and care from living animals. Moreover, according to theayurveda, human body is suitable for only vegetarian food.
ok one thing…. what intolerance are these srk and aamir talking about? being a muslim if you want to live in europe america and australia its harder than in india becoz the reputation of muslim has been severely destroyed… theydont respect and trust any muslim at all…. if you move to arab countries then you cannot enjoy democracy there…. and i dont think they will prefer to move to africa…. these muslims in india can never get better place than india…..but problem with all these muslims is that ki they all either support isil or at least have soft spot for them…. they cannot accept it but its a bitter reality…. one day these muslims will united to fight against all human race thats for sure…. if you do not realise this then you must be either a muslim or a fool.
Hindus don’t like cow slaughtering, beef eating. So they banned it in many states in India. Muslims also don’t like worshipping idols. It is the biggest sin, The Quran says. But muslims still not banned worshipping idols in Bangladesh, the very neighbouring country to India is spite of muslims ruling the country. Even not the core religiously fundamentalist party did say that on any day since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
I don’t know what percentage of muslims feel the rising intoletance in India. I wish upcoming days will be better for them. May God help themm.
I also wish the same for other minorities and the hindus of India.
Love from a Bangladeshi.