‘Communal politics is a serious ailment that needs to be addressed forthwith’

While making it clear that he will not be part of any political party or rallies, actor Prakash Raj said here on Wednesday that he would continue to speak against the BJP, whose communal politics was destroying the secular fabric of the country.

During a ‘Meet the Press’ organised by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Union and Mangaluru Press Club, Mr. Raj said he was worried about the trend of issues being looked at from communal angles. “This is disturbing,” he said, and added he was concerned more of communal politics than corruption. “That (communal politics) is a serious aliment that needs to be addressed forthwith. The others are minor ailments,” he said.

Expressing unhappiness over the tone and tenor of speeches of Union Minister for Skill Development Anantkumar Hegde, Mr. Raj referred to Mr. Hegde’s recent speech in which he reportedly said minorities were becoming a majority through marriage. “How can anybody accept such statements. It’s strange that the party has not disowned him.” Mr. Raj said BJP national president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had continued making speeches inciting religious passions.

Instead of involving in a debate with him and answering his questions, MP for Mysuru Pratap Simha and his followers were making personal comments against him on social media, he said. Mr. Raj said there was an atmosphere of fear in the State and persons who were questioning were being targeted.