Everyone has right to criticise PM, says Prof. Govinda Rao

Mysuru: Actor and activist Prof. G.K. Govinda Rao yesterday sought to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fans whether Modi was God. “A few BJP men claim that they won’t tolerate criticism of Modi. Is Modi God?” he questioned at a press conference here. He said that as a citizen of the country, everyone had the right to criticise the PM. He pointed at the dangers posed by Sangh Parivar. "This election is a matter of life and death. Liberty is at stake, lives of people are at stake, the whole democracy is at stake," he added. He also criticised Modi for not standing with Dalits and only limiting himself into praising Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He termed Modi’s recent statements during his campaign speeches as loose comments. “The PM has been making loose comments. He should be careful before making such comments. As a PM, he should maintain dignity of the position,” Rao said. He also condemned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s statement that voters should choose between God Anjaneya and Tipu Sultan. “How can he equate God with a man?” Prof. Rao charged. He said that Union Minister for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde made a statement of changing the Constitution at the behest of Prime Minister’s Office. “The BJP has dual stand. The saffron party follows policies of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) theories and has adopted anti-Constitution approach,” Prof. Rao charged and termed the May 12 elections as the question of life and death of the people of Karnataka.