Security up outside Aamir Khan's residence, BJP MP says 'he must leave India, population will come down'

Following actor Aamir Khan's statement that there is a sense of insecurity in the country and that his wife Kiran Rao even suggested leaving India, members of a group of people staged protests outside his residence in Mumbai.

Members of Hindu Sena held demonstrations, following which security was increased outside Aamir Khan's home.

This comes even as Aamir Khan faces flak over his statement on the issue of intolerance at Ramnath Goenka Awards for Journalism from several corners of the political fraternity, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP MP Yogi Adityanath, who is often in the line of fire for firing salvos, said that Aamir must leave the country if he wants as that would reduce population of the country.

"If Aamir Khan wants to leave the country he can go. The population of the country will come down," said the BJP leader.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also hit out at the 'PK' star, terming his statement on leaving the country as a "great disservice to freedom fighters".

Owaisi said, "We'll be doing great disservice to freedom fighters by even verbally saying that we're thinking of leaving India. So long as planet Earth survives, no one can force us to leave India and neither will we leave it."

The BJP was up in arms against Aamir Khan with some party members, who hail from the film fraternity also voicing their opinion against the noted actor's intolerance remark.

Critically acclaimed actor-turned-politician Paresh Rawal said, "I don't know whom to believe. Maulana and J&K CM Mufti Mohd Sayeed who has said India is the best place for Muslims or Aamir Khan and his wife."

He reiterated that the issue of Award Wapsi was a politically motivated one.

Asansol MP and singer Babul Supriyo said, "It is an unfortunate statement, he should not have said this. I see no reason for using such harsh words, there is no intolerance in the country.

He further said, "These are important people, country listens to them, so one should be more careful."

This came after BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain addressed a press conference, targeting Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi over the issue. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's tweets backing Aamir Khan, the BJP leader said that with the Congress leader backing the actor, it seems some conspiracy is at play.

The Congress, meanwhile, seized the chance to attack the government, with party leader Shashi Tharoor accusing the BJP of making a deliberate attempt to polarise sentiments. He said that "Aamir made a point and we must listen to it. He loves the country and that's why he raised a concern."

Earlier, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had tweeted that instead of branding those who oppose the government or the Prime Minister in these categories, the government "would do better to reach out to people to understand what's disturbing them".

According to the Congress leader, "That's the way to solve problems in India- not by bullying, threatening & abusing!"

Aamir Khan had backed filmstar Shah Rukh Khan, joining the chorus of artists and writers protesting rising intolerance in the country. The actor has said there is a sense of insecurity in the country and that his wife has even suggested leaving India, fearing for the safety of their child.