Download the all-new Republic app:

Published 11:33 IST, January 20th 2020

Was East India Co looking for China?: Tarek Fatah slams Saif Ali Khan's 'no India' theory

"I don’t think there was a concept of India till perhaps the British gave it one," Saif Ali Khan said in an interview. Journalist-Author Tarak Fatah replied

Reported by: Chetna Kapoor
Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

Saif Ali Khan's controversial statement claiming that 'there was no concept of India until the British came' has got everyone's attention on the Internet. Many schooled the actor and gave out historic facts to prove that his statement wasn't right. Journalist-Author Tarek Fatah also took to his Twitter handle to oppose and mocked Saif Ali Khan, 'a self-confessed history buff'.

Saif Ali Khan royally schooled for 'no concept of India until the British came' absurdity

Advertisement

Saif had said, "But when people say this is history, I don’t think this is history. I am quite aware of what the history was. I don’t think there was a concept of India till perhaps the British gave it one. I don’t think there is really any constructive point in arguing about loudly, provided you yourself know why you’re doing it."

Here's Tarek Fatah's tweet

Fatah has taken a sarcastic line on Saif Ali Khan's statement, raising how the herald of colonial imperialism was the East India Company, with India in its name itself. He also goes on to cite that Vasco D'Gama had sailed east searching for India.

Advertisement

Saif triggers debate

Saif Ali Khan's statements have triggered an almighty debate online, with netizens highlighting various technicalities while agreeing that India - as a concept or otherwise - has a long and rich history.

Saif Ali Khan comes clean on politics of 'Tanhaji',feels the film was 'a dangerous idea'

Advertisement

ALSO READ | Saif Ali Khan reveals these THREE things about his role in 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'

11:33 IST, January 20th 2020