A Karnataka actress-turned-congress politician Ramya alias Divya Spandana is in a row over her remarks, saying Pakistan is not hell, a remark to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had recently compared Pakistan to hell. Ramya a popular actress, has to face sedition charges for her comments, if the court allows a petition regarding the same moved by a lawyer in Kodagu.
An advocate Katnamane Vittal Gowda from Kodagu moved a court in Somwarpet for sedition charges against Ramya and said he was “appalled” by the 33-year-old's comments. The court will hear the case on August 27.
Ramya, a former Congress MP from Mandya visited Islamabad last week for a meeting of young parliamentarians from the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations. On her return, she said she didn't agree with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who recently compared Pakistan to hell. “Pakistan is not hell; people there are just like us. They treated us very well,” she told reporters.
However the actress made it clear that she will not apologies for her comment and said” I don't think I am wrong. It's freedom of speech, also our duty to speak on inclusiveness and peace. Curbing freedoms is wrong in democracy.”
She said, “I am not going to apologise for the remark. I don't think there is anything seditious about expressing your views and opinions. Also, calling Pakistan a good nation cannot be seditious,” she added.
A day after Independence Day at a gathering in Haryana's Rewari District, Parrikar had said, “Yesterday, our soldiers sent back five terrorists. Going to Pakistan is the same as going to hell.” Ramya disagreed, saying politicians wanted to spread hatred and said she won't apologise for the “larger cause”.
“Everybody is entitled to their views and that is what democracy is about, you can't force your ideology on anyone. It is really sad but such is situation in the country today.”
The case comes few days after a sedition case was filed against Amnesty International for organising the event 'Broken families' of Kashmiris on August 13, where some people allegedly raised anti-India slogans. The ABVP has been protesting against the Amnesty International and has been demanding an NIA probe. Both the BJP and ABVP have protested her remarks and sought an apology from the actress.
In another development Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust in Bengaluru petitioned Karnataka Government for a fair investigation of the August 13 incident at the Amnesty International.