Aamir meets PM, welfare minister on manual scavenging issue

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Social Welfare Minister Mukul Wasnik to highlight the concerns of manual scavengers in the country.

In a meeting at PM's residence that lasted for about half an hour, Aamir discussed the plight of manual scavengers engaged in cleaning excreta. Aamir, 47, said he was assured by the PM that he will look into the matter on a priority basis.

"I had gone to meet the PM to discuss the issue of manual scavenging. I requested him that this practice which still exists in our country should end soon. The PM has assured me that he will look into this matter and he sent me to Mukulji who handles Welfare Ministry," Aamir told reporters here.

The actor focused on the issue on the July 8 episode of his TV show "Satyamev Jayate" where he had made a promise to meet the PM. Wasnik too assured Aamir that the government was working to put a speedy end to the problem and rehabilitate manual scavengers.

"Mukulji assured me that he will work towards putting an end to this problem. The ministry is already working on the issue and he says that they will put an end to this soon," Aamir said. Wasnik said that he is happy that Aamir brought this topic into the limelight.

"We are happy that Aamir has brought this topic into the limelight and I believe that everyone in this country has the right to live equally. Government of India is working towards resolving this issue and PM has also turned his attention towards it," Wasnik said.

Aamir has taken up several issues on his debut TV show, but when asked whether the actor had any plans to join politics, he replied in the negative.