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The actor seemed emotional as he read out a lengthy statement and chunks from his article, which he wrote for a weekly English magazine, to address the controversy at an event here, saying, "I do not even understand the basis of this controversy."
The furore started after Pakistan's Interior Minister Rahman Malik said that India should take care of Khan's security, drawing sharp reaction from India with the government as well as the political class saying should be more worried over security of its citizens.
Caught between the political tussle, the 47-year-old actor said it was ironical that people were reacting to his article without even reading it.
The controversy stemmed from the actor's remarks that he sometimes became inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make him a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India.
Reacting to Malik's statement, the actor said in a press conference here that "I would like to tell all those who are offering unsolicited advice that we in India are extremely safe and happy.
"My own family and friends, are like a mini India... where all religions, professions and a few wrongs included, all are treated with tolerance and understanding and regard for each other... I stand indebted to my audience in my country and around the world. It is sad that I have to say it to prove it, in my country, which my father fought for, during the Independence struggle.
"We have an amazing democratic, free and secular way of life. In the environment that we live here in my country India, we have no safety issues regarding life and material. As a matter-of-fact, it is irksome for me to clarify this non-existent issue". Shah Rukh said "being a public figure makes me prone to any kind of questioning, good and bad and at sometimes and on sometimes makes me an object of controversy as people use my name and statements to attach any positive or negative sentiment to it. This is the life I chose and stand by it... I am, because of the love and admiration that comes with being who I am in my profession. I thank everyone for making me the star I am".
He said the whole issue "has taken an unwarranted twist. I do not even understand the basis of this controversy".
According to him, the article he wrote was "actually meant to reiterate that some occasions might being an Indian Muslim filmstar is misused by bigot and narrow-minded people who have misplaced religious ideologies for small gains", and ironically the same has happened through this article once again.
"I think some people not even read and are reacting to comments of people who in turn have also not read it. So I implore you all to first read it", the actor said.
Shah Rukh said he has written the article for a weekly English magazine. Shah Rukh said the article penned by him did not state or imply that he felt unsafe, troubled or disturbed in the country.
"It (article) does not even vaguely say that I am ungrateful for the love I have received in a career spanning 20 years. On the contrary, the article says that in spite of the bigoted thoughts of some of the people that surround us, I am untouched by sceptics because of the love I have received from my countrymen and women," he said.
Looking perplexed at the frequent questions of reporters, the actor said, "I have already given the statement to you...I think that should satisfy your doubts".
On the controversy, he said, "Some of the views I have been made to read are just an extension of soft-targeting celebrities and creating an atmosphere of emotional outburst and divisiveness based on religion in the minds of some. Let not be misled by tool which use religion as an anchor for unrest and the policy of divide and rule".
"I would also like to add that my profession as an actor makes me liked beyond the borders of my nation and culture.... We all are educated and patriotic people... We do not have to prove time and again the cause of divisive politics of a few," the actor said.
"I only felt love, love and love that I got from millions of Indians and non-Indians and stand indebted to my audience in my country and around the world...It is sad that I have to say it to prove it in my country which my father fought for during the Independence struggle," Shah Rukh said.
He asked reporters to ask him about his future projects.
"Henceforth, ask me questions regarding my next movies, release dates and heroines acting in them", Shah Rukh said.
SRK demanding special treatment should be ignored and his giving enemies of the state an opportunity to take potshots and forcing our leadership to respond is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog instead of the other way around. Connect the dots - this guy wants US airport security, Wankede stadium security and now so called bigots and narrow minded people to treat him with kid gloves. You can't fool people all the time with the religious card, sooner or later people wake up and start connecting the dots and recognizing a pattern of bad behavior. This guy only thinks of himself and does not give two hoots about how all of these incidents make our country look ... fair minded people who have supported him becuase of his talent in the past (ignoring all else) should not allow this dude to make a national fool of us!!! I am done being fooled by this character - I won't patronize his movies and keep him on a pedestal that he can't handle and is constants mis-using!
Instead of reiterating his loyalty to his motherland in so many words, Shahrukh should simply have denounced Rehman Malik, the Pakistani Minister for Mischief and warned him to lay off.
The reality of the situation is that Hindus and Muslims of India have a History they share. The baggage of this History is still carried by members of both religions. There is no doubt that there are bigots on both sides of the fence...they represent the extreme factions. There are also those far removed from the Hindu extreme faction, though not extreme yet are inimical to the Muslims, the justification in their mind being that it is not any individual Muslim that their ire is directed at but to the group as a whole in a non-personal sort of way for the injustices against Hindus committed by Muslims when political power was theirs. It is an injustice of History that still seeks redressal. These individuals will have many Muslim friends and will share these opinions. Of course what that redressal today should be even they are not sure as the hands of time can never be turned back. The author belongs to the latter group and is saddened by real bigotry and non-acceptance
Why the Pakistan Interior Minister Mr Rehman Malik has put the Fans of Bollywood Actor Mr Sahrukh Khan in Dilemma over his Security Cover ? The Union Home Ministry and the Mumbai Police have already given him fool proof Security Cover and there should be no need of Panic for the Pakistan Interior Minister . The Pakistan Interior Minister should have refrained from quoting ir-relevant comments .
