Actor Irrfan Khan, who has stirred a controversy with his comments on Ramzan and Muharram, telegraphed in his tweets on Friday that he was not about to back down.
"Clerics don't scare me. Thank God I don't live in a country governed by religious contractors," he tweeted.
Last evening, at a function to promote his new movie 'Madaari', the 49-year-old had questioned whether the essence of fasting during Ramzan and the concept of sacrifice had been lost.
"We have forgotten the real meaning of rituals. We have made them a tamasha (scene)," the 49-year-old actor said.
For me religion is abt personal introspection , it's a source for compassion, wisdom and moderation n not for stereotyping n fanaticism.
— irrfan (@irrfan_k) July 1, 2016
"Qurbani means sacrificing something close to your heart and sharing with others. Today, you buy a goat from the market for sacrifice. It is something to think about, it is a matter of common sense, we all should ask ourselves how sacrificing another life earns us any goodwill," he commented.
Mr Khan stressed that it is important to "understand the meaning of rituals and festivals" or they can be misused.
He went on to comment that "we have made a mockery of Muharram. It is meant for mourning and we take out processions."
Pls Bhaiyon, who r upset with my statement, either u r not ready to introspect or u r in a hurry 2 reach 2 a conclusion.
— irrfan (@irrfan_k) July 1, 2016
He also wondered why Muslim leaders didn't speak up on terrorism.
Religious leaders responded to the actor's critique either with anger or disdain.
"I don't know in what context he said it, but I know that performers don't know much about religion. I advise him to stay within his limits," said Qalam Raza Nuri, a cleric.
Zafaryab Gilani of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board said: "Such comments are condemnable."
