The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit back at actor Aamir Khan for his comments on the rise of intolerance in the country, saying his reactions were alarmist and unfair. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said Aamir Khan is entitled to his views, but India is a tolerant nation. Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "We won't let Aamir leave the country, he is safe. This kind of comment influenced by a politically motivated campaign insults those who have given so much honour to Aamir in India."

Actor Anupam Kher, who has been critical of similar protestations against the Centre, also said Khan should "spread hope instead of fear". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal then jumped in the fray, and tweeted in support of Khan, saying the BJP should stop silencing voices through abuses and threats.

Speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism awards on Monday, Khan had said that he felt "alarmed" by recent incidences of intolerance, and that his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should leave the country. Khan also said that it was important for political parties to take a stand and a "sense of insecurity grows when we don't see that happening."