Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that Bollywood actor Aamir Khan had knowingly or unknowingly managed to hurt India and himself with his 'irresponsible' statement, adding that the 'painful' remark has boosted the 'orchestrated' disinformation campaign launched by the political opponents.
"Aamir has produced many sensitive, thought provoking and realistic films that have become popular in India. Unfortunately yesterday, knowingly or unknowingly, he has hurt India and himself with what he said," Naidu told ANI here.
"India is the most tolerant country in the world and everybody is saying so. We know what is happening in the neighbourhood and also in the western countries. India is a nation of peace and hope. It is unfortunate that a famous actor like Aamir Khan is making such immature statements," he added.
Naidu, however, said that the Bollywood star had complete freedom and was well within his rights to express his views, but he should keep in mind if he is 'serving the cause of the nation or hurting it'.
The row over Aamir's 'intolerance' row escalated yesterday with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemning his statement and urging the actor to stop making irresponsible statements tarnishing the nation's image.
"The country is developing and there is peace in the nation. The nation has given eveythign to Aamir Khan. When you are star, people listen to you, but your statements can also be used by those against to nation to tarnish its image of international platforms. Do not tarnish the image of the nation," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
Earlier today, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna also launched a scathing attack on Aamir and questioned the Bollywood actor's patriotism.
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However, the Congress has strongly backed the actor while lashing out at the BJP-led NDA Government for not handling the problems confronting the nation in the 'right way'.
"Instead of branding all those who question the Govt and Modiji - as unpatriotic, anti national or 'motivated', the Govt would do better to reach out to people to understand what's disturbing them," Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wrote in a series of tweets.