Union minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, Uma Bharati kicked up a controversy by warning Bollywood vetern actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan saying if they “make an ideological statement wrapped in politics”, they should “be prepared for the reaction too”.
The Bollywood Khans were criticized by Sangh Parivar and RSS for making statements on growing intolerance in India.
Speaking on ABP News show Press Conference Uma said, “There’s Aamir, Shah Rukh and another four or five actors. I must say one thing about them. If an actor remains an actor, everybody likes them. But when you make an ideological statement wrapped in politics, be prepared for a reaction”.
If you have right to freedom of speech, then the other side too has the right to react,” added Uma.
Saying that the actor’s words have affected India’s image, Uma said that actors should confine themselves to acting or get involved in social work like Angelina Jolie.
“But if you want to remain top actor and enjoy adoration and at the same time you demand freedom of expression, know that you will not get a package of these three things together,” Uma said.
When asaked about provocative statements made by BJP politicians such as minister Niranjan Jyoti and MP Sakshi Maharaj in the recent past, she refuses to speak on them.