How can you scream intolerance as well as freely abuse Modi?

I don't want to pre-empt anything at the moment. The counter "tolerance" march is scheduled for November 7. I will be joined by known artists, dancers and writers who feel they need to speak up against those maligning the image of the country. The march is being carried out because the perception of our country in international forums is unnecessarily being affected because of it being branded "intolerant".

I am also exercising my fundamental right to protest, like those who used their prerogative to return their awards and protest against the "intolerance" they have witnessed in the country. Since the president is the head of the Constitution, we will be marching to appeal to him.

People may question my motives. I would like to counter question these people (who are perhaps anti-nationals) about their patriotism. This doesn't affect the cause. We are patriots and hence are taking the necessary efforts.    

I completely agree with Kamal Haasan, when he says that the country has been intolerant since 1947. There are movements across the world around intolerance. Which country hasn't been intolerant? Emergency was perhaps the biggest instance of intolerance where politicians, journalists and people who opposed the government were locked up for dissent.

Today, we witness people on social media abusing the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. The government hasn't stopped them. This proves that there is no danger to the right to freedom of speech and expression, and this is a sign of a successful democracy.

The march is not a film whose success at the box office depends on A league stars being a part of it. The march is solely for one purpose. It is not a publicity gimmick. There are millions of Indians who do not agree with the stance of those who are part of #AwardsWapsi' or making statements  against the government. This march is for all of them and even if I am the only one marching to Rashtrapati Bhawan, I will know that I am backed by them.

(As told to Ursila Ali.)