Actor-filmmaker Sanjay Khan has urged all Indians not to look at each other through the "narrow prism of religion", and urged the government to stop use of the word 'minorities'. Khan said this here on Monday while unveiling his new book 'Assalamualaikum Watan', which traces the role of Muslims in shaping India's heritage and encourages Indian Muslims to join the mainstream. The book was launched by Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and state Medical Education and Culture Minister Amit Deshmukh.

Through his book, Khan urged Indians to "stop looking at each other from the narrow prism of religion". He also urged the government to "banish the word 'minorities', as it comes with a different meaning". Calling his book an honest attempt to answer some quintessential questions which have remained overlooked over the years, the author said Muslims in India today represent a population of 172 million individuals.