Shah Rukh Khan sparked controversy when he spoke about religious intolerance in India and the Dadri lynching during a recent TV interview.
Shah Rukh said the "increasing religious intolerance" in the nation is pushing India backwards and asserted that he is ready to return his National Award if needed, lending support to the writers' protest.
However, these comments from SRK were followed by a number of remarks from some BJP leaders, who went on to call the superstar "anti-Indian", "Pakistani agent" and even compared him with a terrorist.
While, the BJP party distanced itself from the negative comments made by some of its leaders, there are many others from the political and film fraternity, who voiced their support for Shah Rukh.
Here is a compilation of all the major statements and reactions, in favour as well as against SRK, which followed the superstar's comments on religious intolerance.
BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya triggered the controversy by tweeting, "Shah Rukh Khan lives in India but his mind is in Pakistan. His films earn crores here but he sees India as an intolerant nation. If this is not sedition, then what is it? India is on the verge of becoming a permanent member of the United Nations, but everyone including Pakistan is conspiring to derail it. To make India an intolerant nation is part of this conspiracy. Shah Rukh is now singing in the same tune of intolerance along with Pakistan and other anti-India forces. When hundreds were killed in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts where was Shah Rukh Khan? When Mumbai was attacked on 26/11 where was Shah Rukh then? Today the whole world is taking note of India's leadership, at this juncture talking about rising intolerance is like weakening India globally."
Soon, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath joined the bandwagon and slammed SRK comparing him with terrorist Hafiz Saeed. "I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed. We welcome that people go to Pakistan, at least people who defame India will understand their own originality," he said.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi called the superstar a "Pakistani agent". "Shah Rukh Khan is an agent of neighbouring country Pakistan as he reflects their ideology. Such a man should go to Pakistan."
Baba Ramdev also lashed out at Shah Rukh, saying, "If he a true patriot, he should return all the money he earned after winning the Padma Shri to the PM relief fund, in case he plans to return the award."
Nevertheless, there were many who stood by Shah Rukh. BJP Spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "There cannot be any comparison of any law-abiding Indian citizen with a terrorist like Hafiz Saeed, certainly not Khan who is a much loved and respected Indian national and artiste."
Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and said, "We r all proud of you.@iamsrk Hope your words help to make a tolerant, inclusive and progressive India."
Veteran actor Anupam Kher tweeted, "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."
Vishal Dadlani asked fans to stand by Shah Rukh tweeting, "He loves India more than most! It's time for those that SRK has inspired, supported & worked with, to stand by him!"
Congress leader Digvijay Singh said on Twitter, "I strongly condemn Kailash Vijayvargiya's statement. Modi should personally apologise to Shah Rukh don't worry we stand by you."
Shiv Sena MP, Sanjay Raut also came in support of SRK as he said, "This country is tolerant and the Muslims are tolerant as well. Shah Rukh Khan should not be targeted only because he is a Muslim."
Meanwhile, Salman Khan was also asked to comment on Shah Rukh's latest controversy but the actor restricted himself just candidly saying, "He says something and then I have to come and explain."
