Indian gov't assures safety of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan

The Indian government Tuesday assured top Bollywood actor Aamir Khan that he is safe in this country, a day after he raised concerns of growing intolerance.

"We won't let Aamir leave the country, he is safe," Indian Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in the national capital.

He added: "This kind of comment influenced by a politically motivated campaign insults those who have given so much honor to Aamir in India."

The Bollywood actor, whose film "PK" has been a major hit in India, despite being sarcastic on Hindu rituals, said Monday he was "alarmed" by the spurt in the number of incidents of intolerance.

He also said that his wife Kiran Rao had even suggested that they should leave the country, keeping in view the future of their child.

"When I chat with Kiran at home, she says, should we move out of India? That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child," Khan had said at a media conclave.

He added: "She fears what the atmosphere around us will be. That does indicate that there is this sense of growing disquiet, there is growing despondency apart from alarm."

The actor had also slammed the ruling dispensation for being apparently silent on the growing religious intolerance in India, without naming any political party.

However, his comments have not only provoked sharp reactions from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has termed them as "alarmist" and "unfair," but also from his fellow actors.

"Dear @aamir_khan. Did you ask Kiran which country would she like to move out to? Did you tell her that this country has made you AAMIR KHAN," veteran actor Anupam Kher tweeted. Endit