Actor Aamir Khan also took part in the intolerance debate that started over the killing of noted rationalist writers in the last few months and the lynching of a man over rumours that he ate beef. The 50-year-old actor expressed his "fear" and "insecurity" during the eighth edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards ceremony on Monday.
Talking to Anant Goenka, Wholetime Director & Head of New Media, The Indian Express, Aamir said that the incidents of violence in the last few months have alarmed him and even got his wife Kiran Rao worried.
"As an individual, as part of this country as a citizen, we read in the papers what is happening, we see it on the news and certainly, I have been alarmed. I can't deny. I have been alarmed by a number of incidents," he said.
"When I chat with Kiran at home, she says 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day," Aamir said.
"That does indicate that there is this sense of growing disquiet, there is growing despondency, apart from alarm. You feel why this is happening, you feel low. That sense does exist in me," he added.
Commenting on the authors, writers and historians' move to return awards in protest against the "growing intolerance" in the nation, Aamir said that he supports any protest that is non-violent.
"For creative people, to voice what they feel is important. A number of creative people — historians and scientists — have increasingly had a certain feeling that they feel they need to express. One of the ways of expressing their dissatisfaction or disappointment is to return awards," he said.
"As long as you don't resort to violence, all individuals have a right to protest and they can protest in any manner they feel is right. This is certainly a way to protest for creative people," he added.
Aamir also took on the politicians over the handling of the issues, like comparing the incidents that have been taking place recently with that of the past. He said that the government, which has been elected in the democracy has the duty to serve their people with justice at such times, The Indian Express reported.
"For us, as Indians, to feel a sense of security, two-three things are important. The sense of justice gives a lot of security to the common man. The second thing, that is important, are the people who are the elected representatives, at the state level or the level of the Centre... when people take law in their own hands, we look upon these representatives to take a strong stance, make strong statements and speed up the legal process to prosecute such cases. It doesn't matter who the ruling party is," he said.
"On television debates, I see where one political party, in this case, the BJP which is ruling right now, is accused of various things. They said, 'But what happened in 1984?'. But that doesn't make right what's happening now," he said
"What happened in '84 was disastrous and horrendous. At other times also, through ages, whenever there is a violent act, when an innocent person is killed, be it one or a large number, that's very unfortunate. And these unfortunate moments are the ones when we look towards our leaders to take a strong step. Make statements that are reassuring to the citizens," he added.
Aamir also condemned the Paris attacks, which the Isis claimed to have carried out, killing 129 people and injuring hundreds others. He even asked the world to not recognise the militants of Isis or the Islamic State as Muslims as what they are doing is unIslamic.
