MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra
Highlight
- Vir Das uploaded a six-minute video on YouTube titled ‘Main Do Bharat Se Aata Hoon’.
- The MP Home Minister said that Das will not be allowed to perform in the state.
- The opposition asked Mishra why he was silent on actress Kangana Ranaut’s recent controversial remarks.
Comedian Vir Das’s controversial ‘Two Indias’ video has landed him in new trouble, as Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday said he will not be allowed to perform in the state. Das is facing police complaints about his monologue ‘Main do Bharat se aata hoon’.
When asked about the comedian’s monologue, MP government spokesperson Mishra told reporters, “We will not allow such jokers to perform. If he apologises, we are going to consider it.”
On Monday, he uploaded a six-minute video on YouTube titled ‘I come from India’s’ which was a part of his recent performance at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC. He touched on various topics in the clip, including farm protests, the fight against COVID-19, duality in response to women, especially rape, and action on comedians.
Opposition, artists question BJP leader’s silence on Kangana’s statement
Opposition parties and actors are slamming the BJP leader and asking him why he was silent on actor Kangana Ranaut’s recent controversial remarks. Responding to his remarks, Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders and some artists asked why Mishra was not making any statement on his recent remarks on Ranaut in which he said that India achieved “real independence” in 2014. when the Modi-led government came to power and described the country’s independence in 1947 as “begging” or begging.
Das, who has issued a statement saying that his comments were not intended to insult the country, has got the support of TMC member Mahua Moitra as well as Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor.
Criticizing Narottam Mishra over his remarks against Das, Madhya Pradesh Congress general secretary and media in-charge KK Mishra said while the minister issues instructions at the drop of a hat, he was silent on Ranaut’s “beggar” remarks.
He said, “He (Ranaut) has given an anti-national statement, but why is Mishra or the BJP government of MP not breaking the silence on it? Why is Mishra not giving a statement against the anti-nationalist Ranaut?” He asked.
The Congress leader said that instead of pointing fingers at Das, he should announce registration of sedition case against Ranaut.
“Will he announce a ban on Ranaut’s entry in Madhya Pradesh?” He asked. CPI(M) state secretary Jaswinder Singh said the minister was making such statements to promote a particular ideology.
Singh said Mishra should express his views on Kangana’s statement. Senior Madhya Pradesh journalist and theater artist Rakesh Dixit called Das’ “threat” unfortunate and said the BJP leader’s displeasure was “selective” as he “didn’t utter a word” on Ranaut’s statement.
A few other artists expressed similar views.
Narottam Mishra criticizes opposition’s support to monologues
Mishra said there are some clowns who try to “malign” India, and he has some supporters like Kapil Sibal and other Congressmen. “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also defames India on foreign soil. MP Congress chief Kamal Nath also does the same,” the minister alleged.
“I call such people clowns. He (Das) will not be allowed to protest in the state. If he apologises, we are going to look into it,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesperson Neha Bagga, however, said that Ranaut was neither a member of his party nor did the party support the actor over his statement. “But it is very unfortunate that Congress leaders like Kapil Sibal are supporting Das who has tarnished the country’s image in America,” he said.
Das was criticized by senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi for “defaming the nation” and actress Kangana Ranaut demanded strict action against the comedian.
(with PTI inputs)
Read also: Congress divided on Vir Das ‘I come from two India’ monologue
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