Aamir, Saif won't toe Bhutia line
Soccer star Baichung Bhutia may have refused to carry the Olympic torch in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, but filmi celebrities are not shying away from the opportunity to carry the flame in New Delhi on April 17.
By Bharati Dubey, TNN |
MUMBAI: Soccer star Baichung Bhutia may have refused to carry the Olympic torch in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, but filmi celebrities are not shying away from the opportunity to carry the flame in New Delhi on April 17.
Bhutia, a Buddhist, turned down the offer saying the cause for a free Tibet was close to his heart. But actor Saif Ali Khan said: "I will definitely be taking part in the relay. Why shouldn't I? My government has not made any adverse statement against China and my stance is that of my government." "The Dalai Lama has not objected, so who am I to refuse?" he asked.
A Tibetan fan of Aamir Khan has even threatened to set himself ablaze if the actor did not dissociate himself from the torch relay. Supporters of a free Tibet have also begun an open internet forum, urging celebrities not to participate the event.
While Aamir Khan has chosen not to speak to the media on the subject, he has posted a lengthy argument on the
internet in favour of the relay.
"I would like to state that I have the highest regard and respect for the struggle that the people of Tibet are going through. I completely empathise with them. (But) Olympic Games do not belong to China. In fact, if we were to try and find on this planet a place to hold the Olympic Games where the government of that place has not been responsible for human rights violations (in one way or the other), then I suspect that we would be left with very few options, if any at all."
Tswewang Rigzin, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, said: "We would request celebrities to reconsider their decision and we are hopeful they are aware of the serious situation in Tibet and show their solidarity by not participating in the torch relay."
When told of Saif's stance, Rigzin said: "We live in a democratic society and everybody has the right to make their decision and we only hope they make the right decision by not going for the torch relay."
Bhutia, a Buddhist, turned down the offer saying the cause for a free Tibet was close to his heart. But actor Saif Ali Khan said: "I will definitely be taking part in the relay. Why shouldn't I? My government has not made any adverse statement against China and my stance is that of my government." "The Dalai Lama has not objected, so who am I to refuse?" he asked.
A Tibetan fan of Aamir Khan has even threatened to set himself ablaze if the actor did not dissociate himself from the torch relay. Supporters of a free Tibet have also begun an open internet forum, urging celebrities not to participate the event.
While Aamir Khan has chosen not to speak to the media on the subject, he has posted a lengthy argument on the
internet in favour of the relay.
"I would like to state that I have the highest regard and respect for the struggle that the people of Tibet are going through. I completely empathise with them. (But) Olympic Games do not belong to China. In fact, if we were to try and find on this planet a place to hold the Olympic Games where the government of that place has not been responsible for human rights violations (in one way or the other), then I suspect that we would be left with very few options, if any at all."
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"If I am not mistaken, almost all societies have been responsible for human rights violations either directly or indirectly, sometimes in seen ways and sometimes in unseen ways, sometimes physically, sometimes economically. I request those of you who have asked me to stay away from the Olympic torch relay to understand that when I do run with the torch on April 17, it is not to support China. In fact, it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet, and indeed for all people across the world who are victims of human rights violations," writes Amir Khan. Tswewang Rigzin, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, said: "We would request celebrities to reconsider their decision and we are hopeful they are aware of the serious situation in Tibet and show their solidarity by not participating in the torch relay."
When told of Saif's stance, Rigzin said: "We live in a democratic society and everybody has the right to make their decision and we only hope they make the right decision by not going for the torch relay."
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