Delhi: Bollywood actor Anupam Kher on Friday questioned how can one who "speaks ill" of the country be celebrated as if he was an Olympic medal winner.
Kher, who was at JNU campus for screening of his movie "Buddha in a traffic jam" made a reference of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar saying, "he is out on bail, he hasn't come back with a medal from Olympics that he should be accorded such huge welcome."
"One who talks ill of the country, how can he be celebrated as hero? Has he got an Olympic medal? He is out on bail. He is not Sachin, Saina or Hanumanathappa," he said, without naming Kanhaiya.
The screening of Kher's film went on amid shouting of slogans by Left-affiliated groups who gave him a thumbs down.
Kher had earlier alleged that JNU refused to screen his film considering the present atmosphere at the campus, a charge denied by the university.
Later, the actor tweeted his thanks to all those who hosted him.
Thank you #JNU students body, staff & teachers for hosting us this evening. What an electrifying atmosphere.:) pic.twitter.com/IxZHk99vge
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) March 18, 2016
Slogans of #BharatMataKiJai & #VandeMatram today purified #JNU of slogans chanted earlier on 9th Feb.:) #Patriotism pic.twitter.com/GnPGe1oJgk
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) March 18, 2016
Meanwhile, further attacking Kanhaiya, Kher had asked, "You talk about everything that according to you is wrong in the country. But what did you contribute to nation other than your criticism? Let's not talk about what is not working in the country but what is happening in the country. You are here to study and not do politics and even if you are doing it, don't do any politics against the country," he said.
"I also heard someone saying that he wants freedom in India and not from India. If the country is your home than how is freedom in or from is different," he had asked.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kher had said, "It is after years that we have got such a good prime minister. We are also trying to get you all back on road to revolution and patriotism."
Referring to himself as a true Indian he had said, "The India in me will always be alive. I am not old. I am like our country who will get younger with times."
(With PTI inputs)
