If PM doing great, why live in Dubai? Raj Thackeray jabs Vivek Oberoi, R Madhavan
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took a swipe at actors Vivek Oberoi and R Madhavan, questioning why they had chosen to live in
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took a swipe at actors Vivek Oberoi and R Madhavan, questioning why they had chosen to live in Dubai if they believed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was making India great again. Launching a broadside against the government at the 20th anniversary celebrations of the MNS students' wing in Mumbai on Saturday, Thackeray alleged that thousands of industrialists and businessmen had "packed their bags and left the country" during PM Modi's 12-year tenure. Read Full Story The firebrand leader then targeted the film fraternity. "Some actors travel to India and act in government- films like Dhurandhar and go back to Dubai," he said.
"In the film PM Narendra Modi, Vivek Oberoi essayed the role of the Prime Minister. However, he stays abroad, he stays in Dubai! R Madhavan, who goes on about how everything became great during Modi's time and how the country changed, moves to Dubai with his family," he went on. "If these actors love the country, love the Prime Minister and believe he is taking the country forward, why are they living abroad?" Thackeray asked. The MNS chief also claimed that many actors preferred to remain silent on public issues because they feared online vitriol. "Many actors say it is better not to express themselves because they are trolled," he said.
Talking about the student protests over NEET paper leak and exam irregularities, Thackeray disagreed with PM Modi's suggestion that protesting students had gone astray and needed to be brought to the straight and narrow. This was a reference to the Prime Minister’s video addressing the abusive slogans raised against him during the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. PM Modi said that he and his late mother were subjected to abusive language during the protests and that dragging "misguided children" to court would not solve the issue, choosing instead to forgive them. Thackeray agreed that abusive language was unacceptable but said the Prime Minister should first rein in leaders from his own party, the BJP.
"No one should use language of such a low level. But he should tell people of his own party," he said. The MNS leader argued that the large turnout and rhetoric at the student protest reflected years of accumulated anger and frustration at the government's failings. "These kids' expectations are being crushed. When they see nothing working around them for them, what should they do?" he asked. Questioning the police action against student protesters during the march to Parliament, Thackeray demanded accountability from those responsible. "When will those who ordered police action against students apologise?" he said. Ends With PTI inputs
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