Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who turned 50 on Monday, added his voice to the hundreds of artists, academics and intellectuals protesting against rising intolerance in the country. Responding to a question during a Twitter townhall session hosted by India Today, Khan said that he would not hesitate to give up his awards as a symbolic gesture if he has to, but feels he does not have to do so.

Khan said, "There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance. It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue. Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot." He also said that "people put words into the air even before thinking", adding that India "will never be a superpower if we are not going to believe that all religions are equal".

Khan also responded to criticism about actors not participating in the protests, saying that it was tough for him to take a stand on every moral issue. He said, "If I do take a stand, I'll stand by it."