Published 20:25 IST, July 8th 2019
BJP minister Giriraj Singh lashes out at Shabana Azmi over her 'criticising govt will make you anti-national' opinion
Expressing his views, Begusarai BJP MP Giriraj Singh in a tweet accused Shabana Azmi of being new leader of award waapisi and Tukde Tukde gang
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Begusarai BJP MP and minister Giriraj Singh has lashed out on actor Shabana Azmi on her remark that anyone who criticises the government is branded as an anti-national.
Expressing his views in a tweet and sharing a video of the event in which Azmi spoke, Singh said that she is the new leader of the Tukde Tukde Gang and the Award Waapisi gang.
Here is the tweet:
On Saturday, speaking at an event where she was honoured with Kunti Mathur Award instituted by Anandmohan Mathur Charitable Trust to recognise her work for women, Shabana had said:
"It is always necessary that we point out our flaws for the betterment of our country. If we do not, how can our conditions improve? But the atmosphere is such that if we criticise the government we are branded as anti-nationals. We should not be afraid, nobody needs their certificate," Azmi said without naming any political party. "We have grown up in 'Ganga-Jamuni' (composite) culture. We should fight the situation and not kneel before it. India is a beautiful country. Any attempt to divide people cannot be good for this country," she had added.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh and his wife Amrita Sigh were also present at the event where Azmi spoke. Meanwhile, Deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya also responded to Shabana Azmi's statement that whosoever criticises the government is branded as anti-national.
"I don't want to comment on Shabana Azmi. However, she is not a representative of 130 crore people of the country. The country is moving ahead under the leadership of PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath," he said. After the controversy on her comments, Azmi took to Twitter to say that those criticising her by calling her anti-BJP forgot that she had also spoken against Triple Talaq and Nikah Halala. She also tweeted the famous lines by Faiz Ahmed Faiz "Bol ki Lab Azad hai tere" (Speak because you are free).
Updated 20:53 IST, July 8th 2019