After Naseeruddin Shah's statement on mob violence in the country triggered a controversy, Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana on Sunday said people have the right to speak their mind in an independent country and there's no need of conducting a "social trial" in such cases.
"Everyone has the right to share his/her views. If someone speaks his mind in the country, does that mean there should be a social trial? We should seriously listen to him/her instead," Mr Rana said.
"If someone is speaking his mind and there is a debate, will it improve the country's economic situation," he said.
Mr Shah had Friday said that at many places, the death of a cow is being given more importance than the killing of a policeman.
The veteran actor also expressed anxiety over the well-being of his children, who he said have not been brought up as followers of any particular religion.