At the inauguration of the 11th State Meet of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, actor Prakash Raj expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not uttering a word about journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder, and lashed out at the right wing supporters celebrating the murder on various social media platforms. According to The News Minute, Prakash Raj said:
Gauri’s killers may not have been caught yet, but what is more distressing is those who celebrated her death. We may not be able to see Gauri’s killers, but we can see those who have spewed vitriol... People, who our Prime Minister follows, are also among them. We have a Prime Minister who turns a blind eye to this.
The National Award winning actor does not seem to be pleased with the UP Chief Minister either. According to TNM, he said: "People who our Prime Minister follows are also among them. We have a Prime Minister who shuts his eyes to this."
I am a renowned actor, do you (Modi) think I will not be able to detect when you are acting. At least show me some respect, considering the fact that I am an actor and I will be able to tell what is the truth and what is acting.
According to TNM, he further said, “In UP, we don’t know whether he’s a Chief Minister or the poojari of a temple. You know, I have five national awards. I think I should give them to him.”
(Watch Prakash Raj's speech from 10:00 onwards. For his comments on Gauri Lankesh, watch from 21:00 onwards)
Prakash Raj had been a close friend of Gauri Lankesh for the past three decades, reported TNM.
Who has done it is supposed to be left to the police and the CB/CID, whoever is going to do it. But then we know, I think we as a country, as citizens, we have not decided that who should rule us, who are the policymakers, and who has let this sort of an ambience sneak into our lives... That is exactly what is terrifying. That it is happening continuously. And whoever the cowards are, they are unabashedly trying to challenge the system, challenge our conscience and say, ‘We can silence voices.’ Whoever is reasoning, and the whole Freedom of Expression, having a right to express, is trying to be questioned.
Prakash Raj, as quoted by <i><a href="http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/i-dont-want-awards-prakash-raj-hits-out-pm-modi-over-gauri-lankesh-murder-69305">TNM</a></i>
After the video went viral, the actor took to Twitter to clarify some aspects of his speech, and also to reiterate certain crucial points:
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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