Bollywood superstar
Salman Khan expresses his support towards
Narendra Modi during a press conference for world premiere of his latest movie “
Jai Ho” during Wednesday at Meydan Hotel, Dubai.
During
the time Salman was questioned by XPRESS at the premiere of the Sohail
Khan-directed movie, Salman again defended right-wing Indian politician
Narendra Modi who is running for the prime minister’s post. Salman when
asked whether he felt he had disappointed his Muslim fans by flying
kites accompanying Modi said he is the chief minister of a state. There
is a judicial system (in place) that has cleared him (of any
wrongdoing), then why should he apologize? he said when asked whether he
felt he had disappointed his Muslim fans by flying kites with Modi. He
recently attended a festival in Gujarat state where around 2,000 Muslims
died in communal violence under Modi’s watch in 2002. In fact, Salman
Khan, subsequent to appearing with
Narendra Modi at a
kite festival, has now reportedly said that the Gujarat Chief Minister
need not apologize for the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002.
Salman
expressed during an interview that since the judiciary has made Modi
free from built or blame for his declared involvement in the riots, he
should not say sorry for the communal violence. Nevertheless, Salman
refused to approved Modi for the prime minister's post, saying he was
not in a position yet to do the same. He added that he do not want his
views to influence millions of his fans' judgement. He added that it was
fun to fly kites with the Gujarat Chief Minister. Salman added that it
may be noted that Modi has been nominated by the BJP as its PM candidate
for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Commenting on the recent controversy
over attending the Saifai Mahotsav in Uttar Pradesh, the Bollywood star
said he should not be taught what his moral responsibility is.
Salman,
son of a Muslim father and Hindu mother, has a massive fan following
among millions of Muslims, a community angered by his public support for
Modi. Muslims in India hold Modi responsible for the riots in his state
in 2002. An Indian journalist based in Dubai said that Salman is not
just an actor, he is a Muslim success story in a country where a large
majority of Muslims are poor, backward and downtrodden. It was a
surprise to see Salman’s brazen praise of the person most Muslims hate.
During
Wednesday, calls grew in India to boycott his film in succession to
praising Modi and saying he needn't apologize to Muslims, a long-pending
demand of the community. In Hyderabad, Parliament member Asaduddin
Owaisi drive with incitement to effort to Muslims not to buy tickets to
Jai Ho as a mark of protest. In Aligarh a youth group issued a call to
boycott the film also starring newcomers Daisy Shah and Sana Khan. Modi,
whom Muslims blame to be guilty of provoking and shielding rioters, was
cleared of involvement in the violence by a special investigation team.
(AW:SB)
Related Gallery: Salman Khan And Narendra Modi At Kite Festival
