New Delhi: In a major embarrassment for the Narendra Modi government, another Bharatiya Janata Party leader targeted Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and even went a step ahead by comparing him with Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.
Just hours after BJP cracked the whip on senior leader Kailash Vijayvargiya for his remarks on the actor, BJP leader Yogi Adityanath stirred another controversy by saying, "There is no difference between Shah Rukh Khan's language and Hafiz Saeed. If we ban or stop watching Shah Rukh Khan's movie then he will come on road like other Muslims."
Sensing trouble, the BJP distanced itself from Adityanath's remark. "BJP does not endorse with Yogi Adityanath's remarks. It is his individual opinion. The party does not agree with this," said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.
Not missing any opportunity to hit out at the opponent, the Samajwadi Party termed it as well-thought strategy of the BJP.
"Without approval from the top leadership in BJP no one will say anything like this. It is a clear well-thought strategy of BJP. The statement is unfortunate. Such MPs who make such statements should be expelled from Parliament," said SP's Gaurav Bhatia.
Backing SP, Congress leader and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy termed the statement very unfortunate. "All Indians are patriotic and for the welfare and unity of the country. If somebody is trying to charge false allegations then it will affect the unity of the country."
The BJP seems to be divided on the issue as another MP Manoj Tiwari called Shah Rukh Khan's statement on intolerance as politically motivated. "Shah Rukh Khan should have avoided making such a statement He is influenced by Congress and he is known to be close to the party. He may have been influenced by congress friends. He should re-consider making such a statement. This statement has been specifically made during Bihar elections. My advice is he should join politics like me. He has broken many hearts," said Tiwari.
Earlier in the day, Vijayvargiya was pulled up the party and he had to withdraw his tweets on calling Khan an "anti-national".
IN a series of tweets, Vijayvargiya said, "Shah Rukh lives in India, but his soul is in Pakistan. His films make crores here but he thinks India to be intolerant," he said in a series of tweets amid mounting concerns over the "climate of intolerance" in the country.
"If this is not anti-nationalist, then what is it. India is making a bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations and all the anti-Indian forces including Pakistan are creating a conspiracy," he said.
शाहरुख़ खान रहते भारत में हैं पर उनका मन सदा पाकिस्तान में रहता है। उनकी फिल्मों यहाँ करोड़ो कमाती है पर उन्हें भारत असहिष्णु नजर आता है 1/5— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) November 3, 2015
Vijayvargiya said that when the entire world is respecting India, talking about increase in intolerance makes the country "weak" in front of the world.
"Shahrukh's comment about intolerance points that he is matching the tunes with Pakistan and anti-Indian forces. Today when the entire world is respecting India, talking about increase in intolerance makes the country weak in front of the world."
भारत मे असहिष्णुता का माहौल बनाना षडयंत्र का हिस्सा है। शाहरुख़ ने 'असहिष्णुता का राग' पाक व भारत विरोधी ताकतों के सुर में सुर मिलाना है 3/5— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) November 3, 2015
Turning 50 on Monday, Khan came out strongly against what he called "extreme intolerance" in the country, saying intolerance towards creativity and religion will hurt the country.
"There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance... there is I think... there is growing intolerance," he said.
"It is stupid... It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue not just an issue...Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot," he added.
"If there is intolerance to creativity, intolerance through religion, we are taking away every step that the nation is taking forward," he said.
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