GUWAHATI, Jan 16 - Celebrated actor Anupam Kher today said the word �intolerance� is an irrelevant and a highly misused word in the context of India and hoped the �drama� surrounding it would not be repeated in Assam ahead of the Assembly polls.
Kher, who has been voicing out against those raising the issues of intolerance and returning awards, further said the drama of �award wapsi� (returning of awards) does not take place in the State, which is facing elections in the next few months.
�I have never heard about intolerance in the 50 years. I am hearing it since five to six months. I am not saying this because my wife is a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party or anything else. I say so because I feel that we are fortunate enough to live in a country like India,� Kher told mediapersons at a press conference here this evening.
�It is very important to respect our country. There should not be selective outrage. Why did people not resort to a similar protest on the issue of Kashmiri Pandits or other incidents of riots in the country? he stated.
He said, �I think people in Assam should vote for development, jobs and good infrastructure in the ensuing polls and not for any party as such.�
On actor Aamir Khan�s recent comment on the country�s current scenario, which created a huge controversy, Kher said although he has high regard for the actor, such words, which put the country in poor light, are not acceptable.
�As actors, we enjoy a good rapport. We (Aamir) have not spoken with each other on the issue, but sometimes the country is bigger than the relationships,� he added.
