Aamir Khan in a dilemma
04 Apr, 2008
Aamir Khan has agreed to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay Indian team when the relay arrives in New Delhi on April 17.
The Tibetan community had asked the Oscar-nominated ‘Laagan’ star to refuse to participate in the procession as a mark of protest against China’s rule over Tibet. Khan refused. “I have the highest regard and respect for the struggle that the people of Tibet are going through,” Khan stated. “The Olympic Games do not belong to China. When I do run with the torch, it is not in support of China. It will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet and indeed for all people across the world who are victims of human rights violations.”
Unfortunately Aamir’s fans were not happy with this and most of them requested him not to participate. According to Aamir he has gone through a lot of reading and research regarding this issue. He says, “Over the last few days I have received several requests not to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay. Requests through members of my family, personal friends, people who are associated with the Tibetan struggle, and my blog. I have gone through and read each and every letter, message and post pertaining to this issue.”
He further explains that he is against the violation of human rights. He says, “I have the highest regard and respect for the struggle that the people of Tibet are going through. I completely empathize with them. Similarly, I have the highest respect and regard for the struggle that the people of Iraq, Kashmiri Pundits who have been displaced, Kashmiris in general, and the people of Palestine, are going through. I have named above just a few instances of human rights violations. I am absolutely against any form of violence, and certainly I am deeply upset whenever the basic rights of human beings are violated anywhere in the world.”
Aamir has been selected for the relay because of having excelled in his respective field and also because of his commitment to the cause of environment stewardship. And the actor feels that the Olympic Games do not belong to China. He reasons “If we were to try and find on this planet a place to hold the Olympic Games where the government of that place has not been responsible for human rights violations (in one way or the other), then I suspect that we would be left with very few options, if any at all. If I am not mistaken almost all societies have been responsible for human rights violation either directly or indirectly, sometimes in seen ways and sometimes in unseen ways, sometimes physically, sometimes economically.”
According to him Olympic Games is the coming together of different people across the world despite their differences and difficulties. “It is an opportunity for sportsmen and women across the world to showcase their talent, to challenge themselves and others, and for others to watch and marvel at the achievements of the human body, mind and soul.”
He asks, “Are human rights violations continuing across the globe while all this is happening? I’m afraid so. And I hope and pray for the day that we can one day live in absolute peace and harmony, where human suffering is done away with.”
This is not the first time the actor has spoken out against injustice. In 2006, Khan angered the Gujarat authorities when he criticised the construction of the Narmada dam. His films ‘Rang de Basanti’ and ‘Fanaa’ were subsequently banned for a period in that state. Khan is also no fan of Bollywood film award functions.
Quote:
...However, I feel that the Olympic Games do not belong to China.
In fact if we were to try and find on this planet a place to hold the Olympic Games where the government of that place has not been responsible for human rights violations (in one way or the other), then I suspect that we would be left with very few options, if any at all. If I am not mistaken almost all societies have been responsible for human rights violation either directly or indirectly, sometimes in seen ways and sometimes in unseen ways, sometimes physically, sometimes economically.
The Olympic Games represent for me the coming together of different people across the world despite their differences and difficulties. It is an opportunity for sportsmen and women across the world to showcase their talent, to challenge themselves and others, and for others to watch and marvel at the achievements of the human body, mind and soul.
Are human rights violations continuing across the globe while all this is happening. I’m afraid so. And I hope and pray for the day that we can one day live in absolute peace and harmony, where human suffering is done away with.
I am no one to tell any group of people how they should conduct their struggle. I am not part of it and am not going through what they are going through. But my heart goes out to them.
I request those of you who have asked me to stay away from the Olympic Torch Relay to understand that when I do run with the torch on the 17th of April it is not in support of China. In fact it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet, and indeed for all people across the world who are victims of human rights violations.
Sincerely.
Aamir.
|
Should Aamir Khan carry the torch?
