Amar Singh rallies behind Bachchan

Recalling an instance in the late 80s when ABVP activists had tried to stop the shooting of Amitabh-starrer Main Azad Hoon in Pune,Singh said,“ABVP members had then tried to stall the shooting for Amitabh being a friend of Rajiv Gandhi.”  And now,he is being targeted for different reasons,Singh said.

In the backdrop of Congress raising questions over Amitabh’s association with Gujarat as its brand ambassador,Singh said,“Some people have been criticising Amitabh over the Gujarat riots and ask him who is responsible? How can Amitabh or any citizen decide? It will be the court that will decide. Amitabh adores his father very much. His father,in his famous poem Madhushala says… Bair Badhate Mandir-Masjid Mel Karati Madhushala.” How can one question the integrity of a person who believes in this thought (of unity)?”

Speaking at the inauguration of the media and communication studio of Symbiosis International University by Amitabh,he said,“Not only India but the whole world admires Amitabh. He is the star of the millennium. We should respect his art. True art is like air and light. No one can catch it,” he said.

Singh said Bachchan keeps mum on any controversy. “Koi saath na de,mera chalna mujhe ata hai is his philosophy. Let people raise any issue. Ultimately,truth will prevail. One who treads the right path will remain unharmed,” Singh said.

Apparently alluding to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s tirade against Bachchan,Singh said Bachchan has been facing attacks for his North Indian roots. “Let people raise issues about Marathi or religion. As Amitabh is treading the right path,he will remain unharmed,” Singh said,adding,“He has said several times that Uttar Pradesh is his motherland and Maharashtra his karmabhoomi. He loves Marathi as much as Hindi. Recently,he produced a Marathi film and recited Marathi poems at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.”

On Sunday,CM Ashok Chavan skipped the concluding function of the Marathi Sammelan in Pune,earning criticism that he had avoided sharing the dais with Bachchan,an invitee.

The function had come days after Bachchan’s presence at the inauguration of an arm of the sea link in Mumbai,alongside Chavan,sparked a row with some Congress leaders questioning the probity of the star’s presence,citing he was Gujarat’s brand ambassador.

Reacting to the recent controversy over Amitabh Bachchan,former Samajwadi Party general secretary who recently quit the party,Amar Singh,on Tuesday came to his defence saying no harm would come to the star as he was treading the right path.

Recalling an instance in the late 80s when ABVP activists had tried to stop the shooting of Amitabh-starrer Main Azad Hoon in Pune,Singh said,“ABVP members had then tried to stall the shooting for Amitabh being a friend of Rajiv Gandhi.”  And now,he is being targeted for different reasons,Singh said.

In the backdrop of Congress raising questions over Amitabh’s association with Gujarat as its brand ambassador,Singh said,“Some people have been criticising Amitabh over the Gujarat riots and ask him who is responsible? How can Amitabh or any citizen decide? It will be the court that will decide. Amitabh adores his father very much. His father,in his famous poem Madhushala says… Bair Badhate Mandir-Masjid Mel Karati Madhushala.” How can one question the integrity of a person who believes in this thought (of unity)?”

Speaking at the inauguration of the media and communication studio of Symbiosis International University by Amitabh,he said,“Not only India but the whole world admires Amitabh. He is the star of the millennium. We should respect his art. True art is like air and light. No one can catch it,” he said.

Singh said Bachchan keeps mum on any controversy. “Koi saath na de,mera chalna mujhe ata hai is his philosophy. Let people raise any issue. Ultimately,truth will prevail. One who treads the right path will remain unharmed,” Singh said.

Apparently alluding to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s tirade against Bachchan,Singh said Bachchan has been facing attacks for his North Indian roots. “Let people raise issues about Marathi or religion. As Amitabh is treading the right path,he will remain unharmed,” Singh said,adding,“He has said several times that Uttar Pradesh is his motherland and Maharashtra his karmabhoomi. He loves Marathi as much as Hindi. Recently,he produced a Marathi film and recited Marathi poems at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.”

On Sunday,CM Ashok Chavan skipped the concluding function of the Marathi Sammelan in Pune,earning criticism that he had avoided sharing the dais with Bachchan,an invitee.

The function had come days after Bachchan’s presence at the inauguration of an arm of the sea link in Mumbai,alongside Chavan,sparked a row with some Congress leaders questioning the probity of the star’s presence,citing he was Gujarat’s brand ambassador.