Aamir Khan has waded into the ongoing controversy surrounding Turkey's relationship with Pakistan, expressing his support for the "Boycott Turkey" movement gaining traction in India. In a recent appearance on "Aap Ki Adalat," the Bollywood actor addressed criticism regarding his past meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan, particularly in light of Turkey's perceived support for Pakistan against India.
Khan stated, "Turkey has done a very wrong thing, and every Indian has been hurt by this." He referenced the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, during which the Indian government was among the first to provide humanitarian aid. He expressed his disappointment that, despite this assistance, Turkey has seemingly sided with Pakistan in recent geopolitical tensions.
The actor acknowledged the public backlash and the growing calls for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism. He stated, "They are doing the right thing. We must not support a country that is siding with those who attack us. We extended friendship during their time of need, and in return, they supported Pakistan. Bahut hi galat baat hai." This Hindi phrase translates to "This is very wrong."
Khan also addressed the resurfaced photos of him with President Erdogan and his wife. He clarified that the meetings took place in 2017 and 2020, during a time when the geopolitical landscape was different. He emphasized that his visits were not politically motivated. He explained that as a public figure representing India abroad, it is customary to accept diplomatic courtesies. He added that when invited for tea, he felt he couldn't refuse. However, he reiterated that Turkey's current actions are "completely wrong" and have deeply hurt Indians, including himself. He also stated that when he met President Erdogan, he did not know that his country would support actions against India seven years later.
Aamir Khan also spoke out against religious profiling and emphasized his support for India's armed forces. He condemned communal attacks and questioned the morality of targeting people based on their religion. "You are shooting at common citizens, you are shooting at the people of the family. I could have been there, you could have been there. And you are shooting at them by questioning their religion. What does this mean?" he said.
Khan's statements come amidst increasing tension between India and Turkey, fueled by Turkey's growing alignment with Pakistan on various international issues. Calls for boycotts of Turkish products and travel have been circulating on social media, with many Indians expressing their disapproval of Turkey's stance.
The actor's remarks have sparked a fresh debate online, with many applauding his transparency and timing in addressing these sensitive issues.
