Kannada actor-politician Ramya faces sedition charges for pro Pakistan comments
One can almost state this in writing. If you praise/defend or say literally anything about Pakistan, someone, somewhere will get offended. This time, it is actor-politician Ramya (Divya Spandana) who is facing ire for her comments on Pakistan.
The Kannada actor and member of Congress since 2011 was recently in Islamabad to attend a SAARC Young Parliamentarians Conference, where she referred to Manohar Parrikar's statement, "going to Pakistan is like going to hell," by responding with "Pakistan is not hell. People there are just like us. They treated us very well," reports NDTV.
Divya Spandana or Ramya. PTI Image.
Soon after a Karnataka based advocate, K Vittal Gowda, lodged a complaint of sedition against Ramya for her statement, accusing her of insulting India and provoking Indians by appreciating Pakistan. CNN-News 18 reports that Judge Shyam Prakash will hear the case on 27 August.
Ramya's statement has also sparked protests across the state by local ABVP and BJP cadres, who are demanding an apology from her, failing which, they want her to move to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Twitterati are doing what they do best: troll. Ramya has been called all sorts of names, including the most popular: "anti-national".
At the forefront of the backlash is Kannada actor Jaggesh. Times of India reports while participating in an ABVP protest on anti-nationalism, he said, "People who have not studied and don't have any experience are praising Pakistan. They should be given a peace prize, maybe a Nobel. They should also be allowed to stand next to Bill Clinton and take photos," adding that those who support anti-national sentiments are "mosquitoes and bedbugs" and should be destroyed with poison.
This is not the first time Jaggesh and Radha have had a war of words; they had previously fought over Radha walking out of his movie Neer Dosa.
Ramya responses to this nation wide protest on Twitter has been dignified.
Ouch! That hurts! 😄 https://t.co/9YJTTevq6E
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) August 21, 2016
"Delusion arises from anger.Mind is bewildered by delusion.Reasoning is destroyed when mind is bewildered"- the Gita pic.twitter.com/Gcedc7XtQg
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) August 21, 2016
On Tuesday morning, she spoke to the media about her comments:
#BREAKING Actor Ramya faces sedition charges for calling Pakistanis 'nice & hospitable', says Defence Min was wrong in calling Pak a 'hell'
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016
#EXCLUSIVE | No question of apologising for praising Pakistan: Actress @divyaspandana to CNN-News18 on the sedition complaint
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016
#EXCLUSIVE I'm entitled to freedom of speech. Nobody can curb it: @divyaspandana to CNN-News18 on sedition complaint pic.twitter.com/XVlUm9QCjS
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016
#EXCLUSIVE It's important that sedition law gets repealed. Didn't do anything wrong. Pakistanis are good people,just like us: @divyaspandana
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016
#EXCLUSIVE | I do not blame anyone. People are very passionate about nationalism. These days it's easy to polarize opinions: @divyaspandana
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016
Updated Date: Aug 23, 2016 10:54:46 IST
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