Aamir Khan Supports 'Boycott Turkey' Calls For Backing Pakistan: 'Bahut Galat Kiya'
Aamir Khan addressed backlash over meetings with Turkish leaders, criticising Turkey for supporting Pakistan during Op Sindoor despite India's aid during the 2023 earthquake.
Turkey and Azerbaijan strained ties with India and faced boycott calls for backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This was around the same time that Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's photos from his past meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan emerged, leading to massive backlash. Aamir finally addressed the pictures and slammed Turkey for siding with Pakistan even after India was one of the first ones to help the country during the 2023 earthquake.
Aamir Khan, who seldom makes a political comment, spoke about Turkey's alleged backing to Pakistan by supplying combat drones during Operation Sindoor. Speaking to Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adalat, the actor said, 'Turkey has done the wrong thing (Turkey ne bahut galat kiya), and every Indian is hurt. During the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, the Indian government was the first to send humanitarian aid. At that time, neither I nor our government knew what Turkey would do later."
Khan clarified that his meetings with the Turkish leaders in 2017 and 2020 were held in good faith, at a time when there were no signs of the geopolitical shifts that would later unfold. 'When I met President Erdogan, I did not know that his country would support actions against India seven years later," he said.
When asked about a viral photo of him meeting Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, Aamir said, 'As a public figure representing India abroad, it is customary to accept diplomatic courtesies. When invited for tea, I couldn't refuse. But let me reiterate — what Turkey has done now is completely wrong, and it has deeply hurt us. I was angry too."
Aamir Khan also spoke about India's rising boycott calls for Turkey. 'They are doing the right thing. We must not support a country that is siding with those who attack us. We extended friendship during their time of need, and in return, they supported Pakistan. Bahut hi galat baat hai," he said in the same interview.
All you need to know about 'Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan' movement
While the rest of the world condemned the heinous terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam on April 22, 2024, Turkey not only sided with Pakistan, but Turkish Songar drones were also deployed by the Pakistan Army to target India's military bases and civilian infrastructure.
This support from Turkey came after the global condemnation of the terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam, with Turkish Songar drones being used by the Pakistan Army against India's military and civilian targets.
Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi posted a video on X, urging citizens to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan for their support of Pakistan after the Kashmir attack. She also advised against visiting these two countries, which heavily rely on tourism, and suggested travelling to nations that support India in its fight against terrorism.
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