Aamir Khan recently voiced his concerns about the growing number of crimes that are racially motivated in India, basically that intolerance rules. In an ironic twist of fate, Khan's statements brought out intolerance en masse. Instead of a dialogue being opened, the Bollywood legend has been slapped with sedition charges by a Kanpur sessions court with a hearing due to be held tomorrow.
According to the Times of India web site, "Advocate Manoj Kumar Dixit, who filed the case against Khan, said his 'anti-national' statement amounts to sedition. The case has been filed under IPC section 124 A (sedition), 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on religious grounds) 153 B (Imputations) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief)."
Another complaint was filed Madhya Pradesh, as well. This one claimed that Khan was using his position as a famous icon to agitate the youth of India. From the Times of India again, "The petition was filed on behalf of Ashok Soni and Abhishek Bhargava in the court of additional sessions judge Justice Jitendra Singh Kushwaha. Accepting the petition, the court fixed December 3 for hearing. The plea said Aamir Khan was a "role model" for the youth of the country, and he had a huge fan following, and thus, his comment on growing intolerance will vitiate the atmosphere in the country."
If those weren't enough, more complaints were filed against Khan, and this time his wife, Kiran Rao, as well. This one goes like this, again from TOI, "The complaint was filed by a local lawyer Kamlesh Chandra Tripathi against Khan and his wife, under sections 124 A (sedition), 500 (punishment for defamation), 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code."
The court date for this one is set for the 14th of December. It looks as if Aamir Khan's December will be filled up and his lawyer will be busy earning that retainer.
