Union minister VK Singh speaks to reporters in Jodhpur
Union Minister VK Singh was dismissive today when he was asked to comment on remarks made by film producer Karan Johar at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
"Why are we discussing Karan Johar, go talk to him. Ask me something important. I am here to meet party workers to encourage them," Gen. Singh said in Jodhpur.
When journalists persisted in seeking a reaction, the former Army chief said colloquially, "
Jaa ke uski pitai kar lo yaar, tum mere peechhe kyun padh rahe ho (Go handle it with him, why are you getting after me?)."
Earlier, on Thursday, Mr Johar had said at the Jaipur Lit Fest that freedom of expression was the "biggest joke".
"How are we democratic? How is there freedom of expression?" Mr Johar had said on the opening day of the Lit Fest during a discussion titled 'An Unsuitable Boy' with author Shobhaa De and journalist Poonam Saxena. "Everywhere I go, I am scared, I am scared I am saying something in Jaipur, and God knows who'll file a case when I reach home. So I have become some kind of an FIR king now," Mr Johar had said.
He had also referred to the country's archaic laws which criminialise homosexuality. Reminding his audience that he has never openly said he is gay - "I have not yet revealed (that)," he said in Jaipur. "Revealing in today's time will land you in jail... we're in a tough country to speak about your personal life," he stated.