Those raising questions on Aamir Khan’s recent meetings with Turkey’s First Lady are not “Hindutva trolls”, but concerned citizens.
When India was celebrating its 74th Independence Day, Aamir Khan was meeting Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan at the Presidential residence in Istanbul. The official news is that Aamir Khan is in Turkey for Laal Singh Chaddha’s shoot. The two discussed social projects and humanitarian activities.
In admiration, Aamir praised Erdogan for supporting many humanitarian projects concerning women and children. Very weird. Weird because the same Emine Erdogan who is supposed to be so concerned about women’s education, had praised the Ottoman-era Harem as an “educational establishment that prepared women for life.”
At a time when Turkey is becoming a radical and Islamist country and interfering more and more in India’s internal matters, Aamir’s visit raises serious questions about his allegiance. Choosing Turkey as a film location is absolutely okay. But at a time when there are severe travel restrictions, what was the urging to travel that long, and “request a meeting” with Erdogan and family?
Here are some of Erdogan’s recent actions for those who think that I am a Sanghi fascist :
- Erdogan converted the iconic 6th century Byzantine church Hagia Sophia from a museum back into a mosque to appease hardliner Turks. He openly gave calls for the re-establishment of the Islamic State, and the conquest of Jerusalem.
- Erdogan criticized India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in J&K in the United Nations General Assembly.
- He raised the Kashmir issue in the Pakistan Parliament, comparing it with the battle of Gallipoli.
- Indian government officials have clearly called that Turkey is emerging as “the hub of anti-India activities.” Islamist radical organizations in parts of the country, including Kerala and Kashmir, are being supported and funded by Turkish outfits backed by President Erdogan.
The problem here is not Erdogan, but an Indian celebrity meeting the Erdogan family at a time when there’s official conflict and tensions in the relationship between the two countries. However, it’s not a coincidence. Both Aamir and Erdogan seem to have a strong affinity for each other. Aamir had met this rabid Islamist and anti-India head of state even before when he travelled to Turkey to have a photo-op.
https://twitter.com/Iyervval/status/1295010278761848833
When India’s strong ally Israel and it’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had visited India in 2018, a ‘Shalom Bollywood’ event was organized where the likes of Aamir Khan and other Khans had refused to come. Yet he never felt anything morally or patriotically wrong meeting a man who openly supports ISIS, whose party members parade severed heads of Syrian soldiers, and whose Son-In-Law launders money for ISIS. Aamir has no compulsions to endorse Erdogan under whose regime women are forced to marry their rapists, journalists are murdered in broad daylight, but calls a vibrant democracy like India intolerant.
Meeting Erdogan and his family not once, but twice is nothing short of anti-national. This is not some “Hindutva troll attack.” This creates genuine suspicion in the minds of common citizens about this man’s veiled, sinister agenda.
What game is Aamir playing here?