Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor on Wednesday targeted the Congress over the practice of naming all the major assets of the country after the Gandhi family during its rule, triggering an outcry from the party.
The 63-year-old actor, who in the recent past, had been critical of the Saffron forces on issues like intolerance, minced no words as he attacked the Congress for naming roads after their leaders’ names.
In a series of tweets, he suggested the names of the prominent places should be changed after those who worked for the welfare of the country.
“Change Gandhi family assets named by Congress.”
“If roads in Delhi can be changed why not Congress assets/property ke naamIJ Was in Chandigarh wahan bhi Rajeev Gandhi assetsIJ SochoIJ WhyIJ (sic),” the actor tweeted.
The “Kapoor & Sons” star said people from the film industry should also have buildings named after them.
“We must name important assets of the country who have contributed to society. Har cheez Gandhi ke naamIJ I don’t agree. Sochna log!
“Film City should be named Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand,Ashok Kumar ya Amitabh Bachchan ke naamIJ Rajeev Gandhi udyog kya hota haiIJ Socho doston!,” he said.
Kapoor said even Delhi’s international airport should be named after personalities like Bhagat Singh or Bhimrao Ambedkar.
“Why Indira G airport InternationalIJ Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What sayIJ,” he tweeted.
The actor said his father legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor has done more good to the country than any politician.
“Raj Kapoor has made India proud over the years all over even after his death. Certainly more than what has been perceived by politics (sic),” he wrote.
Agreeing with his views was actor Anupam Kher. “Rishi Kapoorji has thought about it and I am sure a lot of people think about a lot of things that they put on social networking sites. It’s genuine thought. It is not necessarily against the particular family...,” Kher said, adding that the achievements of other people should also be lauded.
“Salutes to @chintskap for speaking the truth. The #Nehruisation of this country has to go. There is no different. between them & the Britishers,” said filmmaker and censor board member Ashoke Pandit.
However, it did not go down well with the Congress activists. They protested outside Kapoor’s home in Mumbai’s Pali Hill after a series of tweets in which the 63-year-old even commented, “‘Baap ka maal samajh rakha thaIJ”
The tweets began in reference to Union Minister VK Singh’s letter proposing that Akbar Road, a prominent tree-shaded avenue in the heart of Delhi, be renamed after Maharana Pratap, the king who fought against Mughal Emperor Akbar.