Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 27: "We can call RSS and BJP brilliant kidnappers of this nation. In the initial days, they kidnapped Lord Ram. Then they snatched Bhagat Singh and Vallabhbhai Patel. Now they are trying to kidnap Tulunadu's own divine personalities Koti and Chennaya. But the people of Tulunadu stopped them and got victory over their heinous act," actor and activist Prakash Raj said criticizing the RSS and BJP. 

Addressing a public rally organized by DYFI at its 12th state conference held at Unity Ground, Thokkottu, Mangaluru on Tuesday, February 27,  Prakash Raj expressed concern about the current state of affairs. He said, "Seven decades ago, our elders fasted for the nation's freedom. But nowadays, our leaders fast for the sake of temple inaugurations. It has no more meaning than to call it our 'Karma.' Blind devotees are always an issue for these nations and also for the religions they follow. We should raise our voice against these types of blind devotees and start speaking openly. As an artiste, I am speaking and trying to become a voice of my audience who supported me throughout my artistic journey. If an artist sits in silence, then the entire society will become silent."

Touching upon the wounds of the nation, Prakash Raj emphasized, "Wounds of the human body can be cured or may be limited to a person only. But the wounds of nations multiply when we, the citizens, sit silent. The wounds happening to minorities and backward communities are barbaric and should be stopped before spreading across the entire nation."

Commenting on the BJP's focus on religious rhetoric, he remarked, "BJP and its Sangh Parivar don't have any developmental works or progress sheets to exhibit in front of citizens. To cover their failure, they always chant the words temple, mosque, Ram, and Hindu. If we go deep, we will find Buddha temples. If we go extremely deep, we can find the Mohenjo Daro monuments. Do these devotees want to go to Mohenjo Daro or embrace a stone-age culture? Before digging, they should clarify."

Addressing the prime minister's call for "One nation, One language," Prakash Raj asserted, "The Prime Minister only knows Hindi. He can't communicate to people with his jumlas in their own language. So he forced the nation to learn Hindi only. But our constitution gives us the right to speak, communicate in our mother tongue. If the prime minister and his party's Hindu nation comes to existence, then they will start to divide as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Shudras. It will not help India. So it is time to react to these types of mentality and slogans."

Regarding media narrative, he criticized, "At the same time, the media is setting a narrative and helps to divert the actual issue. When an attack happened in parliament by four youths, all media went behind the powder to use the blast, MP's act during the blast. No one showed interest in the intention of the four youths behind the act, their slogans, and issues of unemployment, Manipur, which they raised."

In conclusion, Prakash Raj emphasized, "Majority always takes care of minorities. It is the law of nature. Through humanity and trust, only we can build this nation and make it a heaven of peace and prosperity."

A A Rahim, president, National Executive Committee, DYFI, Jaik C Thomas, member, National Executive Committee, DYFI, Muneer Katipalla, president, DYFI State Committee were present.