Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Apr 28: "The wife of Vedavyas Kamath, BJP candidate of Mangaluru South, is completely going against the Constitution. The video which I posted in my Twitter account clearly shows her seeking votes for her husband on the basis of religion. I expressed my opinion on it because I respect the Indian Constitution with great divinity. After the post went viral yesterday the Mahila Morcha of the same constituency came out with a press meet and instead of talking on the subject they gave statements on my personal life. I pity them because they too have a family and they have relationships like mother, sister, husband and children," said actor Prakash Rai.
The actor had posted a video of the wife of Mangaluru South BJP candidate Vedavyas Kamath purpotedly seeking votes in the name of religion, appealing groups of people to vote for the BJP in order to 'save Hindutva'. The BJP Mahila Morcha hit back at Prakash Rai saying they had nothing to learn from him. The Mahila Morcha had said that Rai's personal life showed 'how much he respects women and Hindu religion'.
Furious at the personal attack, Prakash Rai told media persons here on Saturday April 28, "Politics and religion are two different things. They should not be clubbed together. I am not speaking for or against anyone. I am expressing my concern for the Constitution and a better India. I am never bothered about men from the BJP, but I am worried that a woman, equal to a mother, tries to defend her party by digging another person's private life. This is a matter of shame for a wise society. Everyone have has own private life and no one can interfere in that. She says she knows my personal life but will not narrate the entire story. I say, I have nothing to hide about my personal life. I married twice, and I am legally divorced from my first wife. But my first wife is not my enemy, we are now good friends and my mother respects her and still treats her like her daughter-in-law. I have three children and they are living happily. I lost my son when he was five and it hurt me a lot.
"I think the Mahila Morcha women do not know the real pain of unexpectedly losing a family member. I have never spoken about my family members or my personal life, so why are they attacking my family? Do they think I will shy away after such attacks? Never. It only exposes their own immaturity in front of the public," he said.
"Every time I tell facts, and because of this, many, espcially the BJP leaders call me anti-Hindu. How can they call me this? BJP is not a nation or a religion, it is a small group. It does not represent this nation. Hence it does not have any right to call anyone anti-national or anti-Hindu. I always speak in favour of the Constitution.
"The lady in the video who is seeking votes in the name of religion is making a fool out of innocent Hindus. When someone reacts, her party comes out with personal attack. I will not sit quiet on this matter. I respect my family and equally respect the people this nation. If the Mahila Morcha has guts, let them come to the discussion table with facts. If you (Mahila Morch) cannot do that, then better to control your tongue. It is my request to the voters - the words of Vedavyas' wife are not of the Vedas," he said.
"After I made some comments in this district, a section of the people started saying that Prakash Rai's awards should be revoked, and that he is a villain. I cannot understand why they are linking my talent, my hardwork with their politics. Why are they reacting in such a silly manner to the questions I raise? I am not attacking only the BJP. Other parties including the Congress also play dirty politics. I do not have any comfort level with them. In my opinion, all parties are minorities and they are not the rulers of the society. Majority of people do not want to become a part of any party. They consider parties only at the time of casting vote. So a party's ideology cannot dominate an entire people.
"We the citizens of India should think practical. We should take a bold decision against these hate mongering parties. I started my mission to educate the people about this uncomfortable political setup. It is our collective responsibility to strengthen our federal system. I need six months' time to know what is right and wrong in this.
"I got a report from the intelligence department that my enemies are planning to throw cowdung at me. I say, their head is full of cowdung. That is why they cannot throw anything other than cowdung," Prakash Rai said.