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Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 26, 2015)

Reacting sharply to Aamir Khan’s statement that his family felt ‘insecure’ in the country’s atmosphere of growing intolerance Om says, “I am shocked Aamir and his wife feel that way. I find his reaction to intolerance overblown and intolerable.”

Not that Om downplays the radical wrongdoings. “Are we all supposed to run away from India just because there are sporadic cases of violence? Are you implying that such incidents are so common in our country that you need to run away? Radical undesirable elements exist among both Hindus and Muslims. They are just a handful of troublemakers. The majority of Hindus and Muslims are secular. This is my firm belief. ”

Om describes Aamir’s reaction as paranoid and calculated. “He has said he discussed this with his wife. So the statement about leaving the country was not spontaneous. No matter how we perceive his words, they make an extremely irresponsible statement.”

Om believes Aamir’s voice needs to be used cautiously. “He is not some ordinary rabble-rouser. He is Aamir Khan. And if he’s such a superstar in India, have only Muslims made him what he is? All of Hindustan loves you. How could you utter such shocking words?”

Om feels Aamir’s insecurities are baseless. “He is an influential man and therefore highly protected. What about the common man? For a popular voice to say this, and a voice that’s taken very seriously, is a very dangerous thing.”

Om reasons, “What is Aamir talking about? We Indians are the most tolerant people in the world. When the 26/11 attacks happened, did we rush into Pakistan with an army? Did we retaliate? No! We kept quiet while planes, buses, trains even our Parliament was attacked. Kashmiri pundits were driven out of their native land. We kept quiet. And now, Aamir wants to run away?! He can afford to buy his own island for his family’s safety. But what about the common man who has to face so many hardships every day? Should they all run away from their country?”