Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 1, 2009
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/I-have-never-been-treated-differently-Shah-Rukh/articleshow/4846016.cms
Brushing aside the Emraan Hashmi controversy
as a "one-off" episode, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday
said that such incidents should not be given importance.
The actor, who is a practicing Muslim but
prefers to call himself a "secular Indian", said, "I have never
been treated differently because of my religion. I am 44 years old now and
never in my life have I felt discriminated."
He was reacting to a question related to the
recent uproar caused by actor Emraan Hashmi's allegations that a housing society
in posh Pali Hill area denied him the NOC to purchase a flat in the building
because he is a Muslim.
Shah Rukh said that he cannot deny the existence
of such incidents but added, "It is a one-off incident and should not
be given too much importance."
"We are a fast growing nation and the
reason for our development is the fact that we have overcome the barriers
of religion, castes, class in our hearts and minds. We should not let these
small incident affect us," Shah Rukh said.
Earlier Bollywood star Salman Khan too had
expressed his disagreement over Hashmi's accusation.
"If religious profiling indeed happened,
Emraan Hashmi would not have been what he is today. Similarly, Salman, Aamir
and Shah Rukh Khan would not be what they are today," Salman said adding
that such incidents take place because of the individual's personality and
not his religion.
