We have no right to hurt animals: Aamir Khan

New Delhi, Aug 10: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan expressed concern over the condition of animals in India and said a lot needs to be done for their welfare.

''I understand that a lot needs to be done to improve the condition of animals in the country,'' Aamir said on sidelines of a function on Friday, Aug 8 evening organised by the People for Animals, a non governmental organisation comitted to welfare of animals in India. The actor, who is currently embroiled in a case pertaining to his alleged violation of animal rights in the Oscar-nominated 'Lagaan', said lending support to the cause was part of his endeavour to do his bit for society in his capacity as a celebrity. ''I would like to do as much as I can in contributing to the society I have grown up in,'' Aamir said.

Informing that he had a small cat at his home, Aamir said, ''I feel that it is not right to hurt animals, especially for one's entertainment.'' The event, organised at the Inter-continental in the Capital, saw Aamir Khan sharing the stage with animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi.

Aamir had been accused of filming a Chinkara deer, a Schedule I animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, for commercial purposes without taking due permission, during the shooting of the movie 'Laagan', for which most of the shooting was held in Kutch in 2000.

The hearing for the case was still pending in the Gujarat High Court. Others named in the case were Aamir's former wife Reena Dutta, who is the film's producer, director Ashutosh Gowarikar, executive director Srinivas Rao and photographer Ashok Mehta.

Aamir, who had been also chosen brand ambassador for the 'Incredible India' campaign, said as a celebrity, he felt it was his duty to sensitise people to various issues.

''For instance, it is quite disturbing to see many a time watching people who come to India being attacked or raped. We have a culture wherein we have always considerd our guests as God,''Aamir said.

His association with 'People For Animals' and the 'Incredible India' campaign was the latest in the line of causes he had stood for.

Earlier, the actor had expressed his support for the campaign by the Narmada Bachao Andolan to secure justice for those uprooted by the Sardar Sarovar Dam construction.

UNI