NCP Chief Sharad Pawar defends Aamir Khan, says statement was "personal opinion"

MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar defended actor Aamir Khan over his comments regarding intolerance.

Khan ignited a controversy earlier this week when he said wife Kiran Rao had asked whether the family would need to leave the country because of the situation.

Pawar said Khan's statement was his "personal opinion" and criticised those who were attacking the film star.

"Those asking him to leave the country are speaking as if the country is their personal property," Pawar said in Satara.

Pawar's statement comes in the backdrop of BJP ally Shiv Sena asking Khan to leave.

"If Aamir Khan doesn't love this country any more, than he can go to Pakistan. The police should also inquire whether Aamir’s statement is anti-national," Maharashtra environment minister Ramdas Kadam said on Tuesday.