Bollywood denies supporting Raj's migrant campaign

There is no long life for lie. Media, which distorted the ‘signature campaign’ support by Bollywood stars to Raj Thackeray and misinterpreted the incident in such a way that they were supporting Raj’s campaign against migrants, has now proved wrong.

Some Bollywood stars against whom allegation were laid that they were supporting Raj’s pro-Marathi and anti-north Indian campaign, eventually came forward before the media and said their statements were misinterpreted by the media.

Salman Khan in a press note in Mumbai and Manoj Bajpai while clearing air in Delhi said unambiguously that have not and cannot support such campaign, which are against the Indian integrity. They said that first we are Indians and then anything else.

Salman Khan has reacted sharply to reports that his father supported Raj Thackeray's campaign against non-Maharashtrians in Mumbai. He said that he and his family have been unnecessarily dragged into the entire migration issue with regards to North Indians. I can confirm that my family and me have not made any statement or endorsed any campaign that supports this issue, he said in a press note.

“We ourselves being originally migrants are not in any position to support such claims. My father is a migrant who lived in Madhya Pradesh and my mother comes from Jammu and that qualifies us as migrants. We are a secular nationalistic family with members from different faiths, different communities.”

“There was nothing to support what you people are saying. My father did not support Raj Thackeray. Any riot in the city or anywhere is wrong and unjustified,” said Salman Khan.

Manoj Bajpai said that he has never ever said that he was against the migrant. Adds further, “I have never supported any one political leader. I have never lived my life like that.”

The actor from Bihar was quoted in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna recently stating that small-towners should not crowd Mumbai.

While interpreting such statements, media must seek clarifications from the respondents. The other side of the story is sometimes people mince their words and issues derogatory statements, which they retreat after viewing widespread condemnation and violence. But, people who are leader or hero, means to say a role model and have millions of fans and followers behind them, which ever ready to go any lowest extreme on a single call of their ideal role models, must speak after rethinking their impact on the society.

But it would not be reasonable, if not keeping the media’s perspective and their intention behind interpreting or misinterpreting such type of comments. Media convey a message on behalf of people, what we people thinks or a general query what haunts our minds.

By supporting Raj’s cause through participating in signature campaign for condemning gag order against him was the clear signal that conveyed superficially that they were also in support of MNS’s stand against North Indians. But, all actors involved in fiasco later made statement that their statements were misinterpreted by the media and they were and are never against Indians in particular.

Media, on the other hand should work according to its ethics and principles. And, before commenting on the critical and sensitive issues and aggravating people’s conscience, must think about its outcome on the society. However, it must bring the truth before the people, which is its inherent duty, but at the same time, if possible, should seek clarifications before issuing such comments.