Naseeruddin Shah Fears For His Children in Today's India, Says 'Cow's Death Has More Significance Than Cop's Killing' - Watch Video
Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has said he fears for his children in India of today, a statement which is set to spark debates on intolerance again.
Mumbai, December 20: Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has said he fears for his children in India of today, a statement which is set to spark debates on intolerance again. In a short YouTube video put up by Karwan-e-Mohabbat India, Naseeruddin Shah imagines a situation when a furious mob surrounds his children and asks about their faith. "My children will have no answer," Shah says, "Because we chose not to give religious education to our children."
"I fear for my children...Because if a mob gathers around them and asks them are you a Hindu or Muslim, they will not have any answer...Because they have no religion," Shah says in the video interview. "I was given a religious education...But Ratna [Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin's wife] did not get any religious education...[And] we chose not to give religious education to our children," he adds. 'Virat Kohli is World's Best Batsman And Worst Behaved Player' Says Naseeruddin Shah, Taking A Dig at Indian Captain's 'Leave India' Comment.
Referring to violence that took place in Bulandshahr following the allegation of cow slaughter and claimed two lives including of a policeman, Shah said in today's India cow's death matters more than that of a cop. "There is complete impunity for those who take the law into their own hands," he says. "We have already witnessed that the death of a cow has more significance (in today's India) than that of a police officer."
Following Shah's remarks, Shiv Sena attacked the actor and accused him of disturbing harmony in the country. Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant termed Shah's statement as a blunder. In 2015, actor Aamir Khan had joined the debate over 'rising intolerance' in India, saying his wife Kiran Rao had asked if they should move out of the country, as she feared for the safety of their children in a climate of insecurity.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2018 02:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).