A True Patriot : Excerpts from Aamir Khan’s Interview

‘I stand by what I said’- Aamir Khan

On a TV programme last weekend, you suggested that India should bomb militant camps in Pakistan. Do you think it’s easy to transgress the sovereignty of a country?

I still stand by what I said. India knows where these militant camps are located in Pakistan. We have the video footage and proof. If the Pakistani government is unwilling or incapable of dismantling them, for our own safety, India should.

But Pakistan is a sovereign country. If India does what you have suggested, it might lead to another war between the two countries?


But can’t we do that invisibly? Hasn’t the US Army gone in and uprooted the training camps situated in the tribal areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan? If the US can do that, why can’t we?

It seems you are being emotional in suggesting that...
Perhaps I am being emotional. Like every Mumbaikar, I am angry and frustrated. How long can we live in fear of being attacked by terrorists from across the border? Are we going to be sitting ducks forever, waiting for the next attack?

What do you want the government of India to do under the present circumstances?
I want to tell the government, stop being soft towards the terrorists. Act and act swiftly.
On that programme you also made a remark that slums in Mumbai sport the Pakistan flag. Have you actually been to a slum and seen any of these flags?

I was wrong on that count and I apologise for that. In the slums near the Race Course in Mahalaxmi in central Mumbai, which I was talking about, they sport Islamist flags; and you know it closely resembles the Pakistani flag. This was pointed out to me by somebody. So, I say sorry and stand corrected.

Do you believe all Muslims in India are anti-national and support Pakistan?
Oh no! Not at all! Absolutely not! I have never said that. When the terrorists from across the border strike India, the Hindus and Muslims suffer equally. We have seen that happening again and again.

But the statements you made on the TV programme were very provocative. Do you regret your comments?
I don’t. I never intended to provoke anybody. I made those statements as a patriotic Indian. I was worked up. I am still angry and frustrated because we all are so helpless in the face of terror. I am only putting forward an agenda to let ourselves out of the grip of fear. Because, as I see it, there are no other solutions left.