Aamir Khan has responded to criticism of his comments that India is becoming a more intolerant place to live by saying people “shouting obscenities” at him for speaking out only prove his point.

In an interview on Monday, the actor and TV show presenter told an audience, which included Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, that his wife had suggested the Khan family consider moving away from India because of the atmosphere in the country.

He made the comments in response to questions about a recent decision by prominent writers to return national awards in protest at what they say is rising intolerance in India.

Since then, Mr. Khan has faced a barrage of abuse on social media and from some politicians who accused him of being “anti-national” and said he should go to Pakistan if he wasn’t happy living in India.

In a post on his verified Facebook page Wednesday, Mr. Khan, a Muslim, said “To all those people who are calling me anti-national, I would like to say that I am proud to be Indian, and I do not need anyone’s permission nor endorsement for that.”

The Bollywood star who presented a show titled Satyamev Jayate (truth alone triumphs) that focused on social issues troubling India, is the second top Indian actor to point out a lack of tolerance in the majority-Hindu country.

Shah Rukh Khan earlier this month said there was “extreme intolerance” in the country.