New Delhi: After comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with Pakistani terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath went a step ahead and said that the actor is tarnishing country's image.
The unapologetic MP said, "Returning award is unfortunate and shameful. Shah Rukh Khan and people like him are trying to tarnish India's image."
The remarks came just hours after Adityanath stirred a 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 has 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.
Union Minister Najma Heptullah asked Shah Rukh Khan to appeal to people to maintain decorum. "Shah Rukh Khan is a popular actor and people listen to him. People follow him and if he is saying something then people will follow him. I think he shouldn't have said that thing. Instead, he should have appeal to the people to maintain the decorum, to be united. I would advise him as an elder sister that he should not say such thing."
Meanwhile, the Bollywood came out in support of megastar and lashed out at Yoginath for his remarks.
Condeming the statement, actor Anupam Kher said, "This statement is inappropriate. I think Adityanath is BJP's Digvijaya Singh. If he wants to express his feelings towards the nation then he shouldn't do so by making others look small."
Backing Shah Rukh Khan, actor Salman Khan said, "My father is a Muslim and my mother is a Hindu."
Even Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar was of the opinion that should not question Shah Rukh Khan's patriotism. "The statement made on Shah Rukh is totally wrong. He is a superstar, we all love him. One should not question Shah Rukh's patriotism."
On his 50th birthday, Shah Rukh 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 had 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 had added.
"If there is intolerance to creativity, intolerance through religion, we are taking away every step that the nation is taking forward," he had said.
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