Bachchan to skip Clinton fundraiser in Hong Kong

New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Indian superstar Amitabh
Bachchan has turned down an invitation of former US president
Bill Clinton for a fund-raising event in Hong Kong, saying he
is "not going to sing and dance" when the country and his city
bleeds.

"I cancelled. I am NOT going to leave my country in
this troubled hour to travel to a foreign land to lend cause
to a foreign initiative, patronized and guided by a foreigner,
for his benefit !! I need to see initiative here in my
country," he wrote in his blog.

Bachchan had been invited to attend the Clinton
Global Initiative in Hong Kong to speak on a topic to elevate
the conditions of the universe.

The actor has also cancelled his participation in Live
Earth concert to be held in Mumbai on December six and seven.

"I am not going to sing and dance at a time when my
country and city bleeds, even though the funds collected were
going to be for charity. They can keep their initiative to
themselves," he said.

Taking a dig at the political system, Bachchan said,
"Cynical and provocative text come in describing the
ridiculous utterances of the system and those that run it. And
actions to placate themselves of dire circumstances, prevail
among ruling governance."

The actor said he shared the anger and frustration of
the countrymen over the situation.

"Never ever have I observed the extent of extreme
anger in each and every individual of this country towards
those that sit in the seat of authority and system and power,"
he wrote.

"This is a determined and definite citizen. A citizen
that has decided that everyone of them needs to become his own
vigilante. For his sake and for the sake of his country.

"I endorse that sentiment," he said. PTI BK