Growing intolerance cause for concern, says veteran Shabana Azmi

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi on Friday said the growing intolerance in the country was a worrying factor and against the "very spirit of democracy". The 65-year-old actress, who is known for being vocal about social issues, said the fringe groups should not get the limelight that they often do in the media.

"What is really worrying me as an artiste is this growing culture of intolerance. It is really a cause for concern. For a long time, I said this is a fringe element and you need to put it down," Shabana said at the "Women In The World" summit. 

The actress reunited with her Fire director Deepa Mehta and co-star Nandita Das for a session on the movie 1996 movie. Shabana said it is state's business to deal with intolerance.

"Today it is not only about the fringe element, it is coming from a thought that is mainstream which is not respecting dissension at all. It is against the very spirit of democracy... You do not need to agree but do not resort to violence. Intolerance will continue to exist in society as long there are human beings... it state's business to deal with it. How will the state deal with is the question which we need to ask," she added.