RS Prasad withdraws movie-growth analogy
NEWDELHI:A day after he cited ₹120 crore business done by three movies on a single day to rebut suggestions of an economic slump in the country, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said he was withdrawing his comments.
In a statement, Prasad claimed that one part of his statement had been “completely twisted out of context”, and said “being a sensitive person” he had decided to withdraw the comment.
“My comments made yesterday in Mumbai about three films making Rs 120 crore in a single day- the highest ever, was a factually correct statement. I had stated this as I was in Mumbaithe film capital of India. We are very proud of our film industry which provided employment to lakhs of people and contributes significantly by way of taxes,” the minister said.
Prasad added that he had also explained in detail about the various measures the government has taken as pro-people move to strengthen theeconomy.
“Government of PM Narendra Modi always cares for the sensitivity of common people. Entire video of my media interaction is available on my social media. Yet I regret to note that one part of my statement has been completely twisted out of context. Being a sensitive person, I withdraw this comment,” Prasad said.
Opposition leaders including senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury criticized his comments. “It is sad that when lakhs of people are losing jobs, the banks are sitting on the hard earned money of the people and the government is not worried about their problems. People are not bothered about the profits of the films. Minister sir, come out of the film life and do not shy away from the reality,” Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said.