New Delhi: Asserting that freedom of expression was in the root of democracy, BJP today again differed with its ally Shiv Sena over the latter's opposition to former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai and Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's concert.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar described his party BJP's current relation with Sena as "as usual" and dismissed Sena's barb at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis that he did not understand the state much, saying "Maharashtra people do not think so".
Disapproving of Sena's protest against Ghulam Ali's show, leading to its cancellation, Mr Javadekar said this sort of politics over an artiste's programme was not good.
"This sort of politics to oppose the programme of any artiste is not good," he told a press conference. Asked about smearing of ORF founder Sudheendra Kulkarni's face with black ink allegedly by Shiv Sena workers over his refusal to cancel the book launch function of Mr Kasuri, he said, "The freedom of expression in out country is in the root of democracy."
He noted that BJP had fought against Emergency, which clamped down on freedom of expression, and it was Congress which had imposed it.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar described his party BJP's current relation with Sena as "as usual" and dismissed Sena's barb at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis that he did not understand the state much, saying "Maharashtra people do not think so".
Disapproving of Sena's protest against Ghulam Ali's show, leading to its cancellation, Mr Javadekar said this sort of politics over an artiste's programme was not good.
He noted that BJP had fought against Emergency, which clamped down on freedom of expression, and it was Congress which had imposed it.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
RSS-Linked Books Mandated In Madhya Pradesh Colleges, Opposition Sees Red BJP Sweeps Panchayat Elections In Tripura Man Held For Rape Attempt In UP, BJP Claims He's Linked To Samajwadi Party 'India' Makes History At Break Dancing In Paris Olympics 2024 Rogue Tax Officer, 3 Lawyers, 500 Firms - Big GST Heist Uncovered In Delhi Kolkata Doctor's Rape-Murder Accused Posed As Cop, Said "Hang Me" On Arrest NIRF 2024: Three New Categories Introduced In Ranking This Year 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Revealed: New Colours, More Features "Night Is Ours": Bengal Women Plan Midnight Protest Over Doctor Rape-Murder Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.