Rahul Gandhi took a dig at PM Narendra Modi over the controversy surrounding the fim "Mersal".
- P Chidambaram also attacked BJP for demanding cuts in the film
- Tamil film "Mersal", starring Vijay, was released on Diwali
- Controversy over dialogues in the film on GST
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New Delhi:
The Congress top leadership waded into the controversy surrounding the Tamil Diwali hit film "Mersal" over some of its dialogues on GST, or Goods and Services Tax. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Tamil Nadu BJP's demand for cuts in the Vijay-starrer "Mersal", asking him not to "demon-etise Tamil pride" .
"Mr. Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don't try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal," Mr Gandhi said in a tweet.
Earlier today, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also attacked the BJP over its demand for the removal of dialogues critical of the GST in film.
Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor quoted Rahul Gandhi's tweet and wrote,"Remember: @INCIndia stands for freedom of expression, in or out of power. Creative freedom is only safe in the hands of those who value it," he wrote.
Mr Gandhi's tweet came after "Mersal" came under attack from BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu who allege that some dialogues portray "untruths" about new national tax GST or Goods and Services Tax and the centre's Digital India campaign.
"Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government's policies," Mr Chidambaram tweeted.
Superstar Kamal Haasan had also backed Vijay and showed his support. "Don't silence critics. India will shine when it speaks. Mersal was certified. Don't re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response," Kamal Haasan had tweeted.
Vijay, who had met PM Modi ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, had even lauded demonetisation last year.
"Mr. Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don't try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal," Mr Gandhi said in a tweet.
Earlier today, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also attacked the BJP over its demand for the removal of dialogues critical of the GST in film.
Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor quoted Rahul Gandhi's tweet and wrote,"Remember: @INCIndia stands for freedom of expression, in or out of power. Creative freedom is only safe in the hands of those who value it," he wrote.
Remember: @INCIndia stands for freedom of expression, in or out of power. Creative freedom is only safe in the hands of those who value it. https://t.co/1oLZi3Bm7D
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 21, 2017
Mr Gandhi's tweet came after "Mersal" came under attack from BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu who allege that some dialogues portray "untruths" about new national tax GST or Goods and Services Tax and the centre's Digital India campaign.
"Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government's policies," Mr Chidambaram tweeted.
Superstar Kamal Haasan had also backed Vijay and showed his support. "Don't silence critics. India will shine when it speaks. Mersal was certified. Don't re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response," Kamal Haasan had tweeted.
Vijay, who had met PM Modi ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, had even lauded demonetisation last year.
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