His incarceration is viewed as victimisation for his Muslim identity
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has received massive support as his son Aryan Khan continues to remain in jail after his bail plea has been rejected in the drug case. The rejection of bail plea has also come under criticism from Bollywood personalities, journalists, lawyers, political leaders and others.
Aaryan along with others was arrested on October 3 after a raid by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on the ship preparing to sail for a Mumbai-Goa cruise. However, the raid and his arrest came under criticism as no drug was not found in the possession of Aryan. It was also criticized due to the involvement of a BJP leader during the raid. It was expected that he would be granted bail on Wednesday but the rejection of bail plea came as a shock to many. Now, bail plea has been filed in the Bombay High Court which is scheduled to hear the matter on October 26. On Thursday, Shahrukh Khan met Aryan in Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail.
Many prominent people have rallied behind Khan and his son criticizing his arrest and NDPS court. Some people said that Aryan is being victimized for his Muslim identity.
Prominent actress Swara Bhasker, who criticized Aryan’s arrest, praised Khan appreciating his conduct at this difficult time.
Shahrukh Khan is an example of grace & decent conduct. To me, he represents the best qualities of India as an idea. He is an inspiration to me personally. 💜✨
Sending him & Gauri love, strength & all my prayers!— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) October 21, 2021
Earlier Bhasker called the rejection of bail plea ‘stunning abdication of law’.
Stunning abdication of law.. by those charged with upholding the rule of law!#AryanKhanBail #AryanKhan #AryankhanDrugsCase
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) October 20, 2021
Lawyer Rahul Mehra also appreciated Khan for his conduct at this unfortunate situation and expressed his pain over what he as a parent is going through.
Am heartbroken seeing these pictures. No parent, celebrity or otherwise, should ever go through such unfortunate moments. But look at the grace,composure, compassion and love exhibited by @iamsrk even in the face of such adversity. Hope this nightmare ends soon. Real soon! https://t.co/xMNgbpMiUQ
— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra) October 21, 2021
Prominent journalist Rana Ayyub said that if Khan could be punished for his religious identity, what would be the fate of ordinary Muslims.
If #ShahRukhKhan can be punished, made to go through this humiliation, imagine the plight of those without his clout, financial resources, who are being jailed, lynched, boycotted for their religious identity everyday. Fascism is here and we are silent. https://t.co/5PyexxRMWj
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) October 21, 2021
People have also criticized the rejection of Aryan’s bail plea by the court. Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan called the rejection of bail plea as “absurd”.
No drugs found in possession of #AryanKhan. In any case, alleged offence is punishable with max 1 year Jail. Yet no bail to him even after 2 weeks! Absurd! Seems that many judges have no idea of the right to personal liberty & the priciples of bail.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) October 20, 2021
Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia demanded to free Aryan and described what is happening with him as “outrageous”. He also questioned the narrative being built up around Aryan’s drug case.
Outrageous !!! You are saying there is a “possible” connection to his “international” racket based on “WhatsApp” chat recovered from his phone, that you confiscated on a “bust” where he “had nothing” ?And you have been fishing for days and yet not found anything? #FreeAryanKhan
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) October 20, 2021
Rashtriya Ulama Council, a political party, compared Arayan’s bail rejection with the bail given to Jamia shooter Rambhakt Gopal Sharma.
Bail Granted. Bail Rejected. pic.twitter.com/OBtCgsvbKd
— Rashtriya Ulama Council (RUC) (@RUConline) October 20, 2021
Shiv Sena MP Piryanka Chaturvedi also wrote in support of Aryan Khan. “It makes me as a mother of a young man, feel a sense of hopelessness not just for the young individual but also for the youth of this nation,” wrote Priyanka in an article published on the website of Indian Today.
She further said: “A young man committed a mistake, yes. Is facing trial. Has not been found in possession of drugs when apprehended and there’s no medical report to prove he consumed drugs. But that he has been repeatedly denied bail, which should be the norm in most cases, should be a cause for worry not just for judgment calls”.
We must remember the governments may come&go, political parties may or may not stay in power, but the redressal mechanisms are here to stay. These systems were built around the idea of justice, equality&liberty.
This abuse of the system needs to go. https://t.co/f6CZJ4hHoy— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 20, 2021
