Akshay Kumar thanks Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for standing by him in Canadian citizenship controversy

Akshay Kumar, who has enacted in various patriotic films previously, had become a target of memes for holding a Canadian passport. The actor indulged in a non-political debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi days before the elections, however his absence from election day was the reason he got trolled.

Akshay Kumar had recently clarified the same on Twitter by posting, "I really don't understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India. While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal and non-political, and of no consequence to others. Lastly, I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger."

The Padman actor received support from his co-star of many movies Anupam Kher previously, and the latest man to back him is Union Minister (Minister of State for Home Affairs) Kiren Rijiju. He pointed out how Akshay Kumar made huge contribution to Bharat Ke Veer and inspiration for Indian armed forces.

Replying to Akshay's post, Rijiju wrote, "Dear @akshaykumar ji, no one can question your patriotism. Your motivation to our Armed Forces personnel and the way you generated funds for our martyrs through #BharatKeVeer programme will remain an example for every patriotic Indian."

Dear @akshaykumar ji, no one can question your patriotism. Your motivation to our Armed Forces personnel and the way you generated funds for our martyrs through #BharatKeVeer programme will remain an example for every patriotic Indian. https://t.co/RdFl2oyKhF

— Chowkidar Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 3, 2019

Akshay Kumar also replied to his post with, "Thank you so much @KirenRijiju Sir, and I apologise for the delayed response. I am grateful for your kind words. Please be assured, my commitment to #BharatKeVeer and to the Indian armed forces would remain steady, no matter what"

See his tweet here:

Thank you so much @KirenRijiju Sir, and I apologise for the delayed response. I am grateful for your kind words. Please be assured, my commitment to #BharatKeVeer and to the Indian armed forces would remain steady, no matter what https://t.co/W1298prsEQ

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 7, 2019

On the work front, Akshay Kumar will next be seen in Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi apart from Farhad Samji's Housefull 4, Mission Mangal with Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, Nithya Menon and Sharman Joshi, and Good News with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani.