Congress MLC Balmoor Venkat today lodged a complaint with the CCS Police against actor Srikanth Bharath alias Srikanth Krishnaswamy Iyengar for allegedly making objectionable and derogatory remarks about Mahatma Gandhi on the social media.
Venkat strongly condemned the actor's comments, demanding strict legal action.
"Cases must be registered, and stringent punishment should be imposed so that no one dares to make such statements in the future," he said, and demanded that Iyengar be expelled from the Movie Artists Association (MAA).
"We will also submit complaints to the Cinematography Minister and the Chairman of the Film Development Corporation," he added.
He said that protests and effigy burnings were being held across the State in condemnation of Iyengar's remarks. "It is shocking that people with social standing are making such irresponsible comments. Ignoring such behaviour will only encourage more of it," he added.
Venkat also expressed disappointment that people who were normally quite vocal, including those in the Telugu film industry, had not condemned the comments. "It is unfortunate that social media influencers, who react swiftly to many issues, have remained silent on such a serious insult to the Father of the Nation. Even those in the film industry who spoke up during the Allu Arjun issue are now silent," he lamented.
Venkat said that India's freedom was achieved through immense sacrifices. "No one who played a role in the freedom struggle can be belittled. It is painful that attempts are being made to glorify leaders who did nothing for the nation's independence while insulting the Father of the Nation," he said.
Iyengar is in the line of fire after releasing a selfie video where he allegedly disparaged Mahatma Gandhi in foul language. According to
India Today, the video, which was posted on October 2, mocked people who observe Gandhi Jayanti by abstaining from consuming alcohol or observing Dry Day. A translated excerpt circulating with the footage also quotes him as saying that Gandhi was a "wom****" and a "p*****", and makes further incendiary comparisons.
Iyengar is also heard praising Nathuram Godse, likening him to an "antibiotic" that removed a "parasite" - language that many have called objectionable and inflammatory.