Abdul Hakim had said he was afraid he’d be killed: Aamir Khan

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan in Mumbai — Reuters Photo

Aamir Khan reacts to the murder of Abdul Hakim, who had appeared on an episode of Satyamev Jayate that highlighted the role of khaps in honour killings.

Aamir Khan was in Jaipur when he heard the news of the killing of Abdul Hakim, the man who had exposed khap panchayats on Aamir’s TV show Satyamev Jayate. According to a reportin Times of India.

Hakim was, according to reports, gunned down in public in his village in Bulandshahar, UP, and his family claimed that it was an honour killing, while the police blamed it on a rivalry.

An extremely hurt Aamir said he planned to take up the issue with the UP government. “It’s extremely sad and unfortunate that it has happened. It is unfortunate that people take the law in their own hands and try to justify their acts in the name of honour killing. We have been making attempts that such people are punished for such heinous crimes,” the actor said.

Reacting to statements that the couple came into the spotlight only after appearing on Aamir’s show, in one of whose episodes atrocities by khap panchayats against couples marrying outside their community was highlighted, Aamir said, “I never forced anybody to appear on my show. It was completely their choice. In fact, when I met the couple before our show, they expressed the fear of being killed. They were already getting threatening calls.”

Abdul Hakim was from Adauli village in Bulandshahar, and he and his wife appeared on Satyamev Jayate on the episode on honour killings.

Aamir also said he will do his best to make sure that Hakim’s family is safe. “I will speak to the authorities and try my level best to look into the matter. I will find out if his wife and daughter are safe,” he added.