Mumbai:
The following is the full text of the resignation letter sent by Aamir Khan to Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal. The actor has resigned from a committee set up by Sibal to look into a new version of the Copyright Act. Khan reportedly got into an argument with lyricist Javed Akhtar at a meeting called by Sibal on Monday, and subsequently sent in his resignation to Sibal:
To The Honorable Minister of HRD, Mr Kapil Sibal.
Dear Sir,
I would like to bring to your notice a number of articles which appeared in the media in the past few days. One appeared on Sunday the 14th of Feb in Mid Day, Mumbai, titled:
"Bollywood A-List Actor Allegedly Plots Copyright Amendment Sabotage"
Another appeared today 16th of Feb again in the Mid Day and the third appeared today, 16th of Feb, in Mumbai Mirror.
Sir, it seems to me that there is an attempt by certain people to attack me in public by printing lies about me, thereby turning the attention away from a genuine debate about copyright issues.
I am grateful to you for inviting me to be part of a committee to discuss the various issues regarding amendments to the Copyright Act. However in light of these public attacks on me I don't think I am comfortable to be part of this committee.
Sir, I take great pride in my honesty and integrity, and attach an enormous amount of value to my sense of justice and fair play. Monetary achievements have never excited me. If they had, I would have acted in many more than one film a year, thereby being financially much richer than I currently am. Had I been driven by monetary achievements I would not have produced films that challenge the mainstream and break new ground, films like Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par and Peepli Live, that most producers would hesitate to produce.
I believe that what I have earned is the love and respect of my colleagues and my audience. And this I have done through my work and through the manner in which I work. This is why such public attacks are most damaging to me emotionally and leave me crippled.
In the past 26 years of my involvement with the film industry I may have made mistakes, but never have I knowingly been dishonest or unfair in my dealings, whether as an assistant director, actor, producer or director.
I feel I have a lot to contribute to the ongoing debate but I cannot make any meaningful contribution in this atmosphere. Aggression of this type leaves me feeling very disillusioned and sad and I am unable to function.
Therefore I request you to accept my resignation from this committee and please appoint another person in my place.
I believe that amendments to the Copyright Act are long overdue and I am so happy that a person like you is spearheading this movement. I believe that the changes that you are bringing about in the sphere of education are so dynamic, progressive and positive, that I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will do the same in the field of copyright.
Yours sincerely,
Aamir Khan.