Aamir's remarks damaged India's brand identity: DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant

Mumbai: The moment reports about Aamir Khan being replaced as the brand ambassador of Incredible India campaign broke out, it fetched criticism from different parts of the country.  

Defending government’s move, the secretary of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Amitabh Kant said the actor’s remarks on intolerance damaged the brand image of the country.

On Monday, speaking as the chief guest of the 36^th convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Desgin, Amitabh Kant, who played a key role in the campaign, said, “People will come to India and tourist flow will increase only if the brand ambassador of Incredible India promotes India as incredible India. But if he says India is intolerant, he is surely not working as a brand ambassador of India.”

When questioned on Aamir’s replacement as the brand ambassador, Kant added, “He is damaging the brand identity of the country. People will not come to the nation after listening to these words. Ambassador has to promote the brand, not destroy the brand.”

Aamir Khan had earlier issued a statement which read, "Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that’s the way it should be."

Few months ago, at an event, Aamir had said that his wife Kiran Rao had asked if they should move out of the country, as she feared for the safety of their child in a climate of insecurity.