Aamir's intolerance remark: 'Don't shoot the messenger'

The Congress on Tuesday backed Bollywood actor Aamir Khan for his views on rising intolerance in the nation and he hoped Aamir won't be referred to as a 'Congressman' after his remark.

"What Aamir Khan -- one of the most respected actors -- has said, and in the presence of senior BJP people, is what the whole world is saying, all of India is saying, all right-minded people are saying. I only hope and trust that he will not be referred to as a 'Congressman', not to be told as a biased person, he will not be referred to in derogatory terms," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told ANI.

"These are the people whose conscience is speaking. Instead of criticising them, heed should be paid to the message, not shooting the messenger," he added.

Khan, at an award ceremony on Monday, had said that he was "alarmed" by a number of incidences and his wife Kiran Rao had wondered if they should move out of India,

He also virtually supported those returning their awards, saying one of the ways for creative people to express their dissatisfaction or disappointment is to return their awards.

Echoing similar sentiments, another Congress leader P L Punia said what Aamir Khan has said is also being felt by people at international level.

"It's a big thing to think to go out of the country for the children's future," he said.

Punia slammed veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher for saying that Aamir should 'spread hope instead of fear'.

"Anupam Kher is trying to please the present government and his wife herself is a BJP MP. It is not expected of Anupam Kher to make this matter light. This is really bad," he added.

In a series of tweets expressing disappointment over Khan's remarks, Kher asked if Khan would suggest millions of Indians to leave the country or to wait till the regime changes.