New Delhi: His remark on “intolerance” in India propelled many political parties and social media users to speak against him. Calling it an “obscurantist issue”, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says it’s not good to question his nationality as he feels there is “no patriot greater than me” in the country.
Shah Rukh said at an event in November last year that there was “nothing worse than religious intolerance and that it would take India to the Dark Ages”.
After his remarks, while some tagged him as an “anti-national”, others called it a political statement.
But Shah Rukh has a whole different story to tell.
“Sometimes I feel very sad, I even feel like crying, that I should be made to say that I belong to this country, I am a patriot. I will tell all young people to be tolerant, be happy, work hard and take this nation forward,” Shah Rukh said on TV show “Aap Ki Adalat”, aired on India TV.
“We should just move forward with positivity as we live in the greatest country in the world. We are one of the safest and most beautiful nations of the world. We should not tie up ourselves in petty obscurantist issues
“I want to say for the last time, I will not repeat it again, that there is no patriot greater than me in this country,” he said.
Shah Rukh further stated that he considers himself as “the most proud Indian in the world”
Further clarifying his remark, he said that through his thoughts, he had only “advised the young not to be intolerant in matters relating to regionalism, religion, caste, colour and creed.”
“My father was one of the youngest freedom fighters. How can I think this country has not been fair to any of us? A man like me, who has got everything from this great country, I’ll be last one to complain,” Shah Rukh said.
“My family itself is a mini-India. My wife (Gauri Khan) is Hindu, I am a Muslim by birth, and my three children (Aryan, Suhana and AbRam) follow three religions. So how can I think of my country like this?” he quipped.
Shah Rukh’s remarks were even considered by many to be against BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (IANS)
