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day after Bollywood actor Salman Khan broke his silence on the intolerance prevailing in the country, his father and renowned scriptwriter Salim Khan also came out in support of the Modi government. During an interview with TOI, Khan said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government must address concerns of artists returning their awards. He also said that those returning awards are free to do so, but at the same time they should write to the government to resolve the issue, while adding that the government should find solutions.
On being asked whether the award returning tussle is politically-motivated move, then he said, "What purpose could so many different people from so many different fields have?" While defending PM Modi, Khan said that "these incidents have nothing to do with PM Narendra Modi - he is not a communal person at all. He totally disapproves of whatever is happening from either side, Hindus or Muslims."
"Modi has a bigger world view - he too was disturbed by these things. His Sabka saath, sabka vikas' is commendable. He has several schemes for uplifting Muslims including improving madrassa education.", he further said.
On BJP's senior leader Arun Shourie's controversial statement that "Modi is maintaining silence on incidents like Dadri lynching, merely to win Bihar elections", Khan said that "he wonders if Arun Shourie would have said the same things if he was holding an important ministry in the current government."
Khan also condemned the beef party conducted by Engineer Rashid in Jammu and Kashmir, while adding that such incidents are being done provocatively to instigate the masses.
While asserting that there is no place better than India for any minority, Khan said that he would like to ask any Muslim if they'd like to live in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq? They'd surely answer in the negative." "If this is the only country you want to live in, because you feel at home, then respect this nation, respect its culture, live in harmony", he added.
On Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as the FTII Chairman, Khan said that he should have the dignity and self-respect to leave.
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