Actor Akshay Kumar on Friday issued a statement regarding the controversy over his citizenship. He says he has never hidden or denied that he holds a Canadian passport and that he doesn't understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about it.
"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," Akshay tweeted.
"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, non-political, and of no consequence to others," he added in the statement.
He concluded by saying: "Lastly, I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger."
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 3, 2019
His absence from the polling booth made netizens think that it was due to his alleged Canadian citizenship.
In 2017, Akshay had told TimesNow that he has been bestowed with an honorary citizenship by the Canadian Government, and hence, he carries the Canadian citizenship.
Akshay, who recently grabbed headlines for his "non-political" interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was widely trolled for not casting his vote this year.
"Chaliye, chaliye (let's go, let's go)" is how Akshay responded when at a special screening of the film "Blank", a mediaperson asked him about giving voting a miss.
He then walked away.
The actor has featured in many films like "Kesari", "Baby", "Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty" and "Airlift", with patriotism as a theme.
Akshay Kumar: Really don’t understand unwarranted interest&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 pic.twitter.com/n1HqAsm1EL
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
"Toronto is my home, after I retire from this industry I will settle in Canada" pic.twitter.com/Ypet1U0oBJ
— Tarique Anwer (@tanwer_m) May 3, 2019
So @akshaykumar who traded in his Indian passport is a Modi “patriot”
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) May 3, 2019
Sonia Gandhi who gave up her Italian citizenship is a “foreigner” according to Bjp
Akshay Kumar threatening a Poor Indian saying "Never question my love for Canada" meanwhile Naseeruddin Shah whispering "Aur Log Mujhe Anti-National bolte hain". (2019) pic.twitter.com/r2LASbtJv1
— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) May 3, 2019
https://i2.wp.com/www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/download-17.png?w=1368&ssl=1
I am an honorary citizen of Canada. I think people should be proud of: @akshaykumar #AkshayOnTheNewshour pic.twitter.com/GB2qTz18eB
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 11, 2017
So, it seems @akshaykumar gae up Indian citizenship and became Canadian citizen.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) May 3, 2019
And the bit about "honorary" citizenship wasn't just a dodge or slip of tongue. It was a lie, as per this report. https://t.co/h1UjubgIDd
One of the most honest and straightforward human being I have ever come across in my film career and life . Every word spoken here is a TRUTH and we are all with you @akshaykumar . Let the irrelevants boo and bark . https://t.co/JH44ofvkN6
— Chowkidar Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 3, 2019
‘Thank you, but TN is home: AR Rahman in response to Canadian mayor's invite’ https://t.co/6fNF7u9eD4 Wonder what @akshaykumar has to say about this. After all he presents himself as a great nationalist. Jai Hind.
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) May 3, 2019
Liberals = #AkshayKumar holds a Canadian Passport, he shud not teach us abt Nationalism, Not In Name, Not my Actor..
— Rohit Jaiswal (@rohitjswl01) May 3, 2019
Same Liberals = Agar #RaulVinci british citizen hai to kya Farkk padta hai??? Yehi paida hua, yehi bada hua, desh ka Dulara hai, Mera Jamai hai
WE LOVE AKSHAY
So @akshaykumar has claimed in multiple interviews that he holds honorary citizenship of Canada. @AltNews found the claim to be untrue by perusing through official Canadian Govt websites. Read more to find out. https://t.co/9Pca21g2nd
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) May 3, 2019
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