Silencing the fringe? BJP strongly condemns Yogi Adityanath’s comments on SRK

BJP strongly disapproved on Wednesday of Hindutva leader and its MP Adityanath’s controversial comments comparing Shah Rukh Khan with Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed, terming them “uncalled for” which did not reflect in any way the core belief of the party or Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Heaping praise on the Bollywood superstar, who was also attacked by senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Tuesday, BJP said there cannot be any comparison between a law-abiding Indian citizen and a Pakistani terrorist, more so Khan who is a much-loved and respected national.

“His (Adityanath) comments are incorrect and uncalled for. They do not reflect in any way the core belief of BJP or that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There cannot be any comparison of any law-abiding Indian citizen with a terrorist like Hafiz Saeed, certainly not Khan who is a much loved and respected Indian national and artiste,” BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Pushed on a defensive not long after party chief Amit Shah had warned some party leaders against making controversial statements in the wake of the Dadri lynching and beef row, BJP leaders also referred to Union minister Prakash Javadekar’s condemnation of Vijarvargiya’s comments to make it clear that the party did not approve of them.

Vijarvargiya had accused Khan on Tuesday of echoing the voice of anti-national forces, alleging he may live in India but his soul lived in Pakistan. He today withdrew his tweets.