Aamir Khan and the Tale of Two Hashtags

New Delhi: Twitter's most discussed topic on Tuesday was actor Aamir Khan, who has caused a huge amount of comment after claiming that his wife suggested they leave the country in the wake of rising 'intolerance.' Through the day, #AamirKhan was the top trend, with most tweets criticizing the 50-year-old actor's remarks. By the evening, the hashtag was replaced by another - #IStand With AamirKhan - with several users taking the PK star's side.

On Monday, Aamir said he was 'alarmed by a number of incidents.' Speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism in Delhi, Aamir also said, "When I chat with Kiran at home, she says, 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day." (Also Read: Aamir Khan Joins 'Intolerance' Debate, Says Wife Even Suggested Leaving India)

The ruling BJP has dismissed the actor's statements as 'alarmist' but several Congress leaders have spoken in support of the actor.

On Twitter, the mood through the day was anti-Aamir, with several of his Bollywood colleagues putting out strongly-worded tweets. "When things are going wrong and the system needs correction, repair it, mend it. Don't run away," tweeted Rishi Kapoor. "India made you Aamir Khan. Which country do you want to move to," asked Anupam Kher. Paresh Rawal, Aamir's Andaz Apna Apna co-star and a BJP MP, tweeted, "A true patriot will not run away and leave his motherland.' (Also Read: On Twitter, Anupam Kher Asks Aamir Which Country he Wants to Move to)
 

If a true Indian points out a concern of the country to improve it, how does he become anti-national? #IstandwithAamirKhan

— Rabia (@rgb_3) November 24, 2015

 

There is tolerance or intolerance is another issue, no one can suppress your opinions, be it for or against. #IStandWithAamirKhan

— - (@mehdi_nisar1) November 24, 2015

 

#istandwithaamirkhan For those asking what has @aamir_khan Done for the Country, Watch Satyameva Jayate ASAP. @TandonRaveena

— iamasif (@asif_srk) November 24, 2015

 

Freedom of speech is fundamental right of every Indian. But people have problem with it. That is intolerance. #IStandWithAamirKhan

— Anas Ad (@_SAF07) November 24, 2015

Some tweets used the hashtag to slam Aamir:
 

How can #IStandWithAamirKhan?????? He is playing in the hand of Congress. And he is free to stay in country he likes.

— Hemant Suryavanshi (@Hemant_62) November 24, 2015

 

#IStandWithAamirKhan coz I want to exaggerate and generalise isolated incidents as cases of mass & Govt. sponsored intolerance

— Siddharth Ghosh (@ProudNational) November 24, 2015

 

#IStandWithAamirKhan coz i have always maintained double standards as per my convinience.

— Siddharth Ghosh (@ProudNational) November 24, 2015

The hashtag adds to a comparatively small chorus of voices for Aamir which include Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and filmmaker Sanjay Gupta.

Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is currently making sports biopic Dangal, scheduled for next year.