Would not hesitate to return Padma Shri award, says Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, speaking with an Indian news channel, said that he will not think twice in returning his awards including the Padma Shri as a symbolic gesture over the increasing intolerance in the country.

“There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance… there is I think… there is growing intolerance,” Shah Rukh said.

“It is stupid… It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue not just an issue…Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot”, he added.

The actor who starred in hits such as Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham turned turned 50 on Monday (today).

“It is stupid… It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue not just an issue…Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot,” the actor said.

Shah Rukh, commenting on the rising intolerance in the country, said that people put words into the air even before thinking and call it a secular country.

“Here is a country perhaps for the last 10 years that is on the cusp of going beyond what we think”, he added.

“No one can and should ever question my patriotism”, he added.

SRK added that India will never be a superpower if the country does not believe that all religions are equal,” he added.