New Delhi

Amidst the attack on Shah Rukh Khan by political leaders over his “growing intolerance” remarks, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi claimed he had aired such views following an “Enforcement Directorate notice”.

“I want the world to know that he (Shah Rukh) received an ED notice on October 26 and India became intolerant on the 1st or 2nd of November,” Lekhi said on the sidelines of an event here.

“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,” she said.

Lekhi, the New Delhi MP, said that if it was not for ED, then why had Shah Rukh not spoken out when there were talks of “ousting Tasleem Nasrin from the country or when Salman Rushdie’s book was banned”.

“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,” she said.

Lekhi also sought to justify MP Adityanath’s remarks comparing Shah Rukh to LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, asking “who will tolerate” the sort of statements that were made.

“Their intentions are not clear from these statements. No Indian citizen has any liking for Saeed and when they don’t have any liking, then are the audience of these people in other countries?

“Talking about justification when such improper statements are made and you are continually provoked, then you grow a certain amount of annoyance and people have their own style of speaking,” she said.

Shah Rukh came out strongly in a TV interview against what he termed “extreme intolerance” in the country, saying intolerance towards creativity and religion will hurt the country.

“There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance…,” he had said.

Not ‘aware’ of Shah Rukh’s remarks on intolerance: Salman


New Delhi

Superstar Salman Khan today refused to be drawn into the debate over BJP leaders’ attack on his contemporary Shah Rukh Khan for his “extreme intolerance” comment.

Salman, who was in the capital to promote his upcoming film “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, was asked about the “feeling of intolerance” in the country and BJP MP Yogi Adityanath comparing Shah Rukh to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

The 49-year-old actor, steering clear of making a direct comment on the issue, said,

“This is a wrong forum for that…

We are here to promote ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’. But I will answer your question. My mother is Sushila Charak, my father is Salim Khan.”

Salman added he was not “aware” of Shah Rukh’s remarks on intolerance and hence could not answer the question.

When pressed for his reaction, his film’s co-star Sonam Kapoor interjected and insisted answering on his behalf.

“I should answer this question. Anything that is intolerant or that is said without complete evidence is unacceptable so people just saying things in the name of religion, class, creed is disgusting and I think we should rest what we have to say at that point,” the actress said before asking the media to talk about “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”.

“We should talking about ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ as this is a film about love, tolerance, brother and sister relationship and I think Salman answered it really really well,” Sonam added.

“We all are here, does it make a difference? Who is sitting here… does it matter to you? You asked me a question. It did not matter. We all are Indians,” Salman said.

Sonam again came to the actor’s rescue when he was asked to react on filmmakers and writers returning their awards in protest against intolerance in the country.

“I don’t know if anybody knows but Salman never goes for award function. Even if he goes, he does not take any,” the actress answered.

When asked that Shah Rukh claimed recently he was ready to give back his award if needed, Salman added in jest that the actor always gets him in a fix. “He says something and then I have to come and (explain).”

When again asked, if there is an atmosphere of intolerance in the country, Salman dodging the question, shot back at the reporter, asking her “personal view” on the matter.

The journalist in question replied, “I don’t believe it is there and it is a created atmosphere,” to which the “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” actor said, “Then don’t create it further… If you think it is created, don’t do that… You are creating it.”

“I opened Being Human… We don’t go asking people, who they are and where they are from. I don’t believe in this at all. I believe if I am working with Sonam, she is working with me… I am answering your question, you all are here and I am sure you are from different beliefs and we all are under one roof then why create it? Don’t create it.”

Politicians should stop talking rubbish about SRK: Anupam Kher

Mumbai

Anupam Kher has come out in support of his “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” co-star Shah Rukh Khan after Yogi Adityanath compared the Bollywood superstar with Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed for his comments over intolerance in India.

Kher, 60, took to Twitter to blast the controversial statements made by some of the BJP leaders against Shah Rukh.

“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,” he tweeted.

PTI