Aamir Khan ‘ambassador of love jihad’, claims BJP-allied minister

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has described Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan as an "ambassador of love jihad", backing BJP leader and fellow minister Nitesh Rane's recent attack over the actor's third marriage. Rane had questioned whether Aamir's marriages amounted to "love jihad" and urged Hindus to reconsider watching his films.

Shirsat argued that despite Aamir's stardom, his three marriages did not make him a role model and questioned the message such repeated marriages conveyed to society.

Aamir married entrepreneur Gauri Spratt on July 5 in the presence of his former wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, along with their children. Reports said Gauri, who has Tamil-Irish roots, follows the Christian faith.

Days earlier, Bajrang Dal activists had staged a protest in Forbesganj in Bihar, burning Aamir's effigy and raising slogans accusing him of "love jihad" following his marriage. The protesters alleged that the actor was targeting Hindu women through his marriages and portrayed his personal life as part of a wider campaign against the Hindu community.

Bajrang Dal leader Manoj Soni had released a video accusing Aamir of repeatedly marrying and separating from Hindu women to insult the Hindu community. He also threatened that the actor would be "taught a lesson" if such actions continued, demanded government intervention and questioned why Aamir had not married Muslim women. A leader of the organisation's women's wing had similarly claimed that a devout Muslim would have married within the faith.

The latest political remarks have reignited the controversy surrounding Aamir Khan's marriage, with "love jihad" allegations continuing to dominate the debate.