NBA activists, while politely thanking Khan for his support, flummoxed actor Aamir Khan by asking him to quit endorsing Coca-Cola.
NEW DELHI: Aamir Khan’s real-life Rang De Basanti proved to be a flop.
In the capital on Friday to support the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Khan stirred a hornet’s nest. NBA activists, while politely thanking Khan for his support, flummoxed the actor by asking him to quit endorsing Coca-Cola.
Meanwhile, Congress and BJP MPs from Gujarat came together to launch a tirade against him for opposing the increase in the height of the Narmada dam.
Easa bin Abdul Karim from Plachimada, Kerala, who was participating in the NBA protest, badgered Khan to stay away from the soft drinks giant Coca-Cola. He said Coke plants are making tribal lands infertile.
“They are drawing out ground water through tube-wells to make Coke, drastically lowering water levels. Six litres of water is required to produce one litre of Coke. The remaining five litres, which have been treated with chemicals, are put back into the ground. As a result the land becomes infertile and tribals lose their only source of living,” he said.
Though ill at ease, Khan assured the activists that he would take up the cause with Coke. “I will try to address the issue,” he said. But on being asked repeatedly whether he would stop endorsing Coke, a contract worth crores, he kept mum.
Author Arundhati Roy, who is also participating in the NBA protest, said actors need to understand issues and not just use them as photo-ops. “If Aamir really feels for those displaced by the dam, then he should feel compassionate for the tribals of Palghat too,” she said.
Meanwhile, NBA activists aren’t too keen on the celebrity quotient. An activist said they had actively dissuaded Khan from participating in the protest. “He could have just met Medhatai at the hospital and expressed support. Getting the entire team of Rang De Basanti to the site was a little too much.”
Activists were also irked by the near stampede that followed Khan’s arrival at the venue. Meanwhile, Patkar’s condition is worsening. The NBA leader, who is on a hunger strike in hospital, is suffering from low blood pressure and depleted sugar and high ketone levels.
“I am ready to sit on satyagraha. You should also leave your mikes and cameras and come with me.” — Aamir Khan
“If anyone, including Aamir Khan, proves to be a hindrance in the construction of the Narmada Dam, the passion of 5.5 crore Gujaratis will be aroused against that person.” — Haren Pathak, BJP MP
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