Hard as one may try to understand his point of view- it is difficult to agree with Mr Aamir Khan’s views. The major problem in this intolerance debate is two fold. First- has intolerance really increased? I don’t see any data in that regard. Perceptions win over reality- our mainstream media seems to have succeeded in influencing people like Ms Rao that it actually has. If it has- and I don’t agree with that till I see evidence of ‘increase’ – then all of us have to fight it even harder in our quest to be a better evolved, tolerant society rather than look for safe havens. Second- has Mr Khan- (or Mr Shahrukh Khan earlier) or his family- ever faced intolerance themselves? Or are they exempt from the intolerant India they talk about by virtue of their position and power?
I hope Mr Khan realises that even if he or his wife do feel that way, by his statement he has let down his fans badly. If such a thought did occur, I presume fleetingly, it was best left between husband and wife. Most of us have, at sometime or the other, frustrated with the myriad challenges we face in India- said to our partner- maybe we should have never returned to India (or words to this effect). But such a thought evaporates soon as we realise what this country has given us. How privileged we are. Blessed actually. And we owe it to our country to give back- in any manner we can.
People like Mr Khan who this country treats like demigods need to be more careful in their utterances. He has played into the politicians hands.
Unless that’s what it was all about. I hope not
Dr Ambrish Mithal he is a senior endocrinologist and is a NewsMobile I Journo