Prakash Raj slams BJP minister, questions 'shameless' politics
Chennai, Dec 8 (PTI) Actor Prakash Raj has slammed Unionminister Ananthkumar Hegde for equating nationalism with'hindutva'.
In a Twitter post, Raj asked the Karnataka BJP leader toclarify what he meant when he said "nationalism and Hindutva"are one and mean the same.
"You said, "nationalism and hindutva are not twodifferent things but are one and mean the same. Why do youbring in a religion into nationalism? Then what about thosewho are not Hindus, people, who are our country's pride likeAmbedkar, Adbul kalam, A Rahman, Khuswanth Singh, AmritaPritam, Dr Verghese Kurien... the list goes on.
"And what about many like me who do not have a religion,but believe in humanity? Aaren't we all the national of ourcountry? Who are you guys... What's your agenda... Since youbelieve in 'janmas'... Are you guys reincarnation of GermansHITLER (sic)," Raj tweeted.
His post was followed by a video clip of Hegde speakingin Kannada at a press conference, where he had allegedly saidHindutva and nationalism are not separate identities.
"This minister says...'Islam should be wiped out in thisworld'... So when he talks of Hindutva does he mean it is away of life," Raj captioned the 39-second-long undated video.
In a third tweet, the National Award-winning actor askedhis followers to analyse the minister's agenda in a "secularcountry of ours" and question his "intentions and shamelesspolitics".
The 52-year-old actor had earlier criticised PrimeMinister Narendra Modi over his silence on those "celebrating"the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bangalore inSeptember and had also lashed out at those who "terrorise" inthe name of religion, culture and morality. PTI SHDBK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.