By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.Net
Guwahati: Democratic voices from the North East have come out in strong support to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan over his ‘intolerance’ statement on his birthday.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has also slammed the BJP leaders who have termed Khan as a Pakistani agent Tarun Gogoi expressed grave concern over BJP MP Yogi Adityanath’s attack on Shah Rukh Khan for his comment that there is extreme intolerance in the country.
He was supported by Sahitya Akademi youth award winning Assamese author Kaushik Barua, based in Rome, who was also critical about the development. In a mailed statement to TwoCircles.net, Barua said: “What is scary is not just that the occurrence of these acts of intolerance, but the vehemence with which some elements obliquely defend these acts and condemn anyone who speaks out about these issues. It’s almost self-validating. Anyone who speaks out about intolerance is attacked so viciously (Shah Rukh Khan being the latest example) that the critics prove the statement right.”
“Of course, I also feel that it is time for all sides of the debate to tone down the pitch. And actually try and talk across the aisle. It would be a real pity if that’s not an option for either side of the debate any more. And this refusal to politely, critically engage one’s opponents seems to be a fault across the board,” he added.
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), an influential peasants’ organisation of Assam has also slammed the BJP for the ‘intolerance’ and attack on Khan. “Shah Rukh Khan is an Indian artiste and he is quite popular. He is liked by thousands in India. We slam the behaviour of some BJP leaders for attacking him just because his surname is Khan. This is pretty unfortunate,” said KMSS leader and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi.
Arunachal Pradesh-based journalist Karpu Chisi said that the situation has become worse ever since the emergence of the BJP-led NDA government. “PM Narendra Modi said in his powerful speech in Arunachal, ‘Na khaunga aur na hi khane dunga’. The common people had thought he is talking about bribery and corruption but later, it comes out to be beef ban. Then, he assured ‘acche din ayenge’ but now the situation is that nobody is allowed to voice out his say. Shah Rukh Khan had just his thoughts put forward and if that makes him a Pakistani agent then, I am afraid, as Arunachalees if we say our heart out, we will be termed as Chinese agent as well,” Chisi told TwoCircles.net.
Young activist and Guwahati based advocate Aman Wadud said that what Shah Rukh Khan had said on growing intolerance is the view of all right thinking Indians. “Similar views were aired by many intellectuals and artists before, but he is being pilloried much more than others because he is a Muslim. Few BJP MPs statement against Shah Rukh is disgraceful that it even makes Shiv Sena look sane,” said Wadud.