Shah Rukh Khan defends Salman Khan's performance in Saifai Mahotsav

Salman Khan and other Bollywood stars came under severe flak for performing at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s cultural program at a time when Muzaffarnagar’s riot victims are still languishing in the relief camps in deplorable condition. Yesterday however, Salman Khan found an unlikely ally in the form of Shah Rukh Khan who defended Salman and other stars’ performances in UP. “I won’t take a moral high ground and comment on the reasons of my colleagues’ workings or taking on a job. I think it’s extremely unfair to comment. We don’t know the details of why they have done it, should they have done it or not. I can’t take a moral high ground because I am a performer myself.” Shah Rukh also pointed out that Bollywood is a soft target when it comes to issues like these. “I think Bollywood is sometimes picked upon unfairly and commented upon out of turn just because one can.” When asked if he would have participated in an event like this, Shah Rukh declined to give his opinion. “I am not a part of it and so I don’t think I should be talking about it,’ said King Khan. Meanwhile, Salman Khan who has been facing brickbats for his action took to Facebook to clarify his stand on the same. Here is what Salman posted: “Whenever I visit a place for a performance or a promotion, I see it as an opportunity to help the locals in the areas of healthcare or education. In Nagpur, on Sunday, Being Human pledged to fund 100 pediatric cardiac cases in Maharashtra State. And in Etawah, Being Human, on behalf of all artists who performed yesterday, has committed to fund 200 pediatric heart surgeries in UP (there is already a wait list of 81 children we have received who are being moved to Fortis Hospital Gurgaon and their surgeries will get done by month end and Being Human is in touch with local NGOs and hospitals for their lists also). We have also contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital for the purchase of an Echo Machine, Pediatric & neo natal ventilator and a portable X-ray machine for their pediatric cardiac ICU.” Salman usually doesn’t like to talk about his charitable activities. But given the brouhaha created in this situation, Salman perhaps thought it’s imperative to clarify his stand.