Life & Style

Shah Rukh Khan 'lives in India, heart is in Pakistan': BJP leader

Kailash Vijayvargiya’s comments come a day after actor spoke against increasing religious ‘intolerance’ in India

Web Desk November 04, 2015

Shah Rukh Khan PHOTO: AFP

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader lashed out at Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for his remarks regarding increasing religious ‘intolerance’ in India.

"Shah Rukh Khan lives in India, but his heart is in Pakistan. His films make crores here but he finds India intolerant," BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya hit out at the actor in a series of tweets.

"Isn't this treason? India is about to become a member of the United Nations Security Council. All forces opposing India, including Pakistan, are conspiring against it,” he added.

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The BJP general secretary also alleged that Khan’s tune was to sing with Pakistan. "Creating an atmosphere of intolerance in India is part of the conspiracy. Shah Rukh's tune is to sing with Pakistan and these forces against India. When hundreds were killed in Bombay in 1993, then where was Shah Rukh Khan? When Mumbai 26/11 attack was where Shah Rukh?"

The Bollywood actor had spoken out against increasing ‘intolerance’ in India on Monday, his 50th birthday. Shah Rukh Khan said there was "nothing worse than religious intolerance and that it would take India to the Dark Ages".

"Our religion cannot be defined or showed respect to by our meat-eating habits. How banal and silly is that," the superstar said while speaking to NDTV, supporting the many writers, filmmakers and others who have returned awards in protest after incidents of mob attacks over rumours of beef eating and cow slaughter and killings of noted rationalist writers.

However, the former Madhya Pradesh minister’s comment was strongly condemned by his own party members as well as other Indian politicians of rival parties.

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"I condemn his comments outright," said union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, pointing out that Vijayvargiya is not a BJP spokesperson and so does not speak for the party.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien also tweeted saying, “Sickening remarks against @iamsrk by BJP national gen sec also in charge of Bengal. What attitude is this: everyone is bad and only you are good?”

Sickening remarks against @iamsrk by BJP national gen sec also in charge of Bengal.What attitude is this: everyone is bad & only u r good?
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) November 3, 2015

Fringe or mainstream ? The sickening comment against @iamsrk was made by national Gen Sec of BJP who is also in-charge of party in Bengal
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) November 4, 2015

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also spoke out in support of Shah Rukh Khan. “We ArE all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India," Kejriwal tweeted.

We r all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 3, 2015

However, following the condemnation the BJP leader withdrew his tweets against Shah Rukh Khan. “My tweet was misconstrued by some, I didnt mean to hurt anyone. I retract my tweets from yesterday. If India is intolerant, then Shah Rukh Khan wouldn’t have been the most loved actor after Amitabh Bachchan,” the BJP leader said in his latest tweet."

However, as Vijayvargiya withdrew his tweet, BJP lawmaker Yogi Adityanath compared the Bollywood actor to the alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks, Hafiz Saeed.

"Shah Rukh should understand that if Muslims don't see his films, he will be on the roads. There is no difference in what Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed say," said Aditynath, according to NDTV.

This article originally appeared on NDTV

COMMENTS (28)

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply Dont need New York Times advice which had made fun of India's Mars mission by it provocative ads which after some days was returned a favor of similar kind by Hindustan Times when US rocket destroyed soon after launch.Btw read this 'Alarming emergence' of religious intolerance in Australia http://tribune.com.pk/story/985576/alarming-emergence-of-religious-intolerance-in-australia/#comment-4433488 Religious Intolerance are growing all over the world in all nations be it India or US or Canada or Australia or France or UK or Arabs and Middle East or even China,Pakistan and Bangladesh.So why single out.????That is not going to help in any ways.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply @Aleem: "For as long as the Kashmir issue remains, India will not see a permanent seat at the UNSC" Stop if you can.

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N K Ali | 8 years ago | Reply So what if his heart is in Pakistan? No harm in that. Shah rukh Khan is a genius just waiting to come and settle here in Pakistan, so, let's get our act together. Salams

Aftab | 8 years ago | Reply @Nil... Dude, your concept of nationalist means that all members of Shiv Sena and BJP are nationalist because they all have same agenda to hate every one who is not Hindu or people who don't agree with their point of view. Don't live in fools paradise but open your horizon of knowledge to watch some of the reports that were published by CNN and BBC. I am no one to give you lecture but I don't buy the arguments that are being used by BJP leaders to justify the hatred they are spreading among Indians(Hindus + Minorities).

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @indian:

it is not an exception wherever you muslims are in majority this is the problem.

But this is about India and in India Hindus are in overwhelming majority. Are you saying Hindu extremists are same as Muslim extremists?

Xyz | 8 years ago | Reply @Nil: Hi Nil. I am an Indian and a Hindu and I am very concerned about the kind of statements our political leaders have been making lately. As such, making foolish statements has been the forte of all our politicians however the tenor of that is becoming more and more divisive. I believe in my country being diverse, tolerant and all embracing .... And the same is the strength of my religion which for thousands of years has been a flowing stream carrying everyone along instead of standing at one place and stagnating. Hitler, may be an extreme example, but was also very nationalistic.... Took Germany to the highest levels but caused so much pain to humanity. I don't hate Modi but I am very concerned about the direction

salman | 8 years ago | Reply India under Modi is becoming intolerant and a hindu extremist nation fast

Aleem | 8 years ago | Reply For as long as the Kashmir issue remains, India will not see a permanent seat at the UNSC. BJP walay can keep on dreaming!

Nil | 8 years ago | Reply @Aftab Do not compare zia ul haq with Narendra Modi. He is true nationalist and has vision to make India super power. What do you think Indians are fool and they do not have brain ? Why they elected BJP and Narendra Modi as PM because he has that kind of magic which you cannot understand. further do not give us lecture on intolerance with minorities this is not actually truth its politicle agenda run by opposition only. Look at condition of minorities especially Hindus and discuss on intolerance with them. for your kind information Modi will remain as PM for next 10-15 years minimum.

Indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Aftab: Don't blame zia , pakistan was formed on the basis of religion. In jinnah's direct action day more people died than in 2002 gujurat.

matter | 8 years ago | Reply Doesn't matter what this is all about. Shahrukh has done whole lot for his country and in turn the country has loved, applauded and commended his efforts. He will continue to be a citizen of the country, One comment doesn't make a season. He is fine to have his views (its a democratic country), All of us probably chill, because nothing's going to change when it comes to Shahrukh.

Shaukat ali | 8 years ago | Reply India needs American style civil war between the forces of good and evil. All bjp leaders and supporters should be brought down to their knees forcefully so India can become a free society again. Down with rss, bjp welcome congress party!!

Aftab | 8 years ago | Reply I feel sorry for Indian audience out here who are trying to defend BJP leaders. I don't believe that some of the educated class of our Indian brothers are trying to justify that killing a person for eating meat is legit and that don't show religious intolerance. When you put religious fanatic as the head of state, you will see consequences after 10 to 15 years as Pakistanis are facing what Zia started in his tenure. I have many Indian friend and we all respect each others belief; I would not generalize the behavior of BJP leader to reflect the mindset of all Indian but I would expect enough courage from Indians to raise their voice for intolerance and in just behavior towards minorities.

Nil | 8 years ago | Reply @ Hameed, So what next ?

Indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Shakeel: mask of srk has slipped long back.

indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Peace!: oh is it , then what is your two nation theory.

indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Hameed: it is not an exception wherever you muslims are in majority this is the problem.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply Half the BJP leaders should be in jail and half in mental hospital but surprisingly they are ruling the country.

G. Din | 8 years ago | Reply @Peace!: "It’s extremely sad, Shahrukh Khan was born in India, raised over there, makes lots of revue for his country yet he cant practice freedom of speech because of his religious affiliation!" What is your opinion about all those British Muslim lads who have joined the ISIS. They are third generation Muslims born and educated in England, now ready to commit treason against UK.

Shakeel | 8 years ago | Reply The mask is slipping, the ugly face is showing. India doesn't look so shining now.

Peace! | 8 years ago | Reply It's extremely sad, Shahrukh Khan was born in India, raised over there, makes lots of revue for his country yet he cant practice freedom of speech because of his religious affiliation! BJP or whatever party cant certify people for being patriotic.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @Lol:

This is one BJP leader saying it

Everyday, buddy. Everyday. Just yesterday BJP general sec said he will cut throat of Karnataka's CM if he ate beef, however this is also a general threat of murder against anyone that BJP does not approve of. These days it seems if extremists/terrorists are taken out of BJP then no one is left. Accept it, BJP is a terrorist organisation masquerading as a political party.

ShamelessPakistanis | 8 years ago | Reply @Indian: ahem ahem "Md Hasmat Ali alias Babu, 55, was clobbered to death by a mob near a village in Manipur’s Imphal East district early Monday morning. Villagers had allegedly spotted him with a calf that went missing from one Khumallambam Brojen’s shed." Would you like to change your comment now about SRK?

Spooky | 8 years ago | Reply I am glade that India finally come to the sense that SRK is an Pakistani blood not Hindustani.

Lol | 8 years ago | Reply This is one BJP leader saying it While in Pakistan, while majority condemned Mawra Hoccane for the same!

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @Indian:

When muslim actress gauhar khan was slapped for wearing short dress by muslim man this SRK didn’t find anything intolerant?

That's an exception, not like current BJP government which is spreading intolerance at every moment, including incitement to murder. Everyone is complaining about it not just Shah Rukh.

auginpk | 8 years ago | Reply What Shah rukh khan said was just like any other Indian. He is neither common man nor academician nor teacher nor socialite. His opinion does not cut weight with any part of Indian society. Lot of doomsayers have given their extreme opinion but the Indian society is very resilient and necessary course correction will be done. I am sure of this.

Indian | 8 years ago | Reply When muslim actress gauhar khan was slapped for wearing short dress by muslim man this SRK didn't find anything intolerant? all these muslims do is preach tolerance to others never practising it themselves.

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