Prophet row: Naseeruddin Shah says only PM can silence hatemongers

Expressing his resentment over the derogatory remarks made on Prophet Muhammad by a former BJP leader, Nupur Sharma, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah said that this is the right time for the Prime Minister to step in.

The 71-year old actor said that if the PM really wants to "stop the poison from spreading", he has to do something. Known for being vocal about his political stand in the industry, he told NDTV, "I wish that the hatemongers whom the PM follows on Twitter... He has to do something to silence them because only his voice is going to do it."

In reference to the BJP leader's remarks on Hindu Gods being disrespected, the actor said he doesn't recollect any instances where a Muslim had made such inflammatory comments on a Hindu deity. "Nupur Sharma is not a 'fringe element', she is a national spokesperson of the party. It is not possible that what she said was without the approval from the top," he added.

Speaking about the time when Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan was arrested in the drugs case, Naseeruddin Shah admired King Khan for the dignity with which he faced it. "It was nothing but a witch-hunt," he told NDTV.

He said that he feels fortunate in comparison to other Muslims who feel marginalized and threatened in India. "I don't feel marginalised. I am not unhappy in this country," he further added.

Nupur Sharma, who was a national spokesperson for the BJP was suspended by the party nearly 10 days ago over her offensive remarks on the Prophet that she made in a TV debate, recently. Her comments were internationally condemned and drew official protests from at least 15 nations including Iran, Iraq and the UAE among others.