Amitabh Bachchan was questioned about his Gujarat visit by so called secular(actually a biased, anti-Hindu and anti-Gujarat gang) media person in New Delhi. In his blog post, Bachchan mentioned his impression on this. While different media units are publishing different versions of what Amitabh Bachchan actually said, here is what Bachchan actually wrote in his blog in his own words. The full post is available on this link.

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So the questions come, on my recent visit and meeting with Mr Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat and my association with this allegedly controversial politician. My offer to promote the state of Gujarat through publicity commercials that could garner more tourism for it, is welcomed and the administration shall come over to work out what and how the modalities could be executed. The grilling questions on this matter continue though.

“You are perceived as a secular example of this country, Mr Bachchan, how can you associate yourself with someone like Mr Modi, a stern rightist !? ” they ask.

I am surprised by this analysis and wonder what kind of people there are that would think of my visit in such adverse manner. I have come to the Chief Minister of Gujarat to seek tax exemption for my film, permissions for which are sanctioned by him and his office. I am going to meet the democratically elected member of a constituent assembly of the country as stipulated by the Constitution, because he is the power that shall grant those facilities. Mr Modi does not own Gujarat. Gujarat belongs to the country. Mr Modi is the elected member by the people, to run the State. Where else and how else do I seek exemption and from who ? Meeting Mr Modi does not make me, a confirmed apolitical person, a rightist. Neither does it make me an endorser of his alleged accusations. Let the courts and the system conclude or pass judgement on it. And, if I see wide 6 lane roads and development and greenery, what is the harm in acknowledging it.

By similar argument, my visit to Kolkata, a few days back, and to the hospital there, to see Mr Jyoti Basu, may his soul rest in peace, would make me a communist would it not ! Or one that I am about to make to Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on similar ground of tax exemption, make me a Congressite because she rules from the Congress party. Or the one that I am about to undertake to Karnataka to visit Mr Yedurappa, the Chief Minister, for tax exemption make me a follower of his party !! Ha ! Come on … guys … think of something more original !

If Mr Modi asks me to promote Tourism in his State, I would happily do it, because it promotes the State and thereby the country. I do not see any wrong in that.

Barkha Dutt expressed similar surprise when she quoted what Mr Amar Singh has expressed in an interview with her on similar subject. He had told her, even if Ms Mayawati, the present Chief Minister of UP asked Mr Bachchan to promote Tourism in UP the state, he would do it.

She reiterates her surprise in my interview – “But Mr Bachchan, this is Mayawati, the one who dragged you to court and registered cases against you, on land matters and school matters and other Company matters !!”

And my reply is the same. If she were to ask me to promote Uttar Pradesh I would happily do it. As much as I would do for any State that would ask me.

Ms Vasundhara Raje Scindia as Chief Minister of Rajasthan asked me to do the son e lumiere for the Amer Fort in Jaipur and I did it. Amarinder Singh of Punjab asked me to do one for the Sikh Museum that they were building and I readily did that. I am in preparation now to do another one on the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Gwalior Fort, Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati Fort, Khajuraho have all been done by me. I did these for the love of their significance in the history of our country, not because I wish to align myself with the political party that has been elected to rule that particular State !!

I have remained apolitical ever since I resigned from politics. I do not wish to go back there again. This I have confirmed year after year, interview after interview. I think it completely futile to even attempt to bring such ill conceived notions up for questioning.

The Jew after perishing went up to heaven and knocked on the door of the Lord and said –

“Lord !! is it true that we are the chosen people ??”

“Yes my son !” Came the booming response. ” You are the chosen people !”

” Well, Lord”, he said. ” Do you mind choosing someone else, for a change !!

Many a time have I felt like conveying this to the media.

My love for you … and for you … and … you ..

Amitabh Bachchan at Heaven Almighty 4 : 02 AM !!!