Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 17: Actor Prakash Raj on Saturday criticised the mixing of politics with religious practices, stating that it does not make one a true Hindu. He was responding to media queries during his visit to Mangaluru regarding a morphed image showing him taking a dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
“A few friends had asked me if they would need permission to attend the Kumbh Mela. I have no objections to religious beliefs—it is a personal choice. However, what saddens me is the politicisation of religion. Those who indulge in such practices are not true Hindus," he said.
Prakash Raj further condemned the circulation of his AI-generated morphed image with an objectionable caption, allegedly shared by Prashanth Sambargi. "Spreading misinformation on WhatsApp just because someone criticizes the government or an individual is irresponsible. We have filed a case against him. AI is a powerful technology, but using it to manipulate images for personal agendas is an offense. Technology should be used for progress, not for such activities,” he asserted.
Addressing another query on the Karnataka government's financial constraints, Prakash Raj remarked, “In an electoral process, the opposition does not win; the ruling party loses. If Congress is in power today, they too may lose tomorrow—it all depends on governance. If the government is facing financial difficulties, citizens have the right to question where their money is being spent. A government functions with taxpayers' money, just as a temple runs on devotees’ offerings. Where is the failure in governance? That is what we must ask."
He also questioned the Supreme Court’s stance on freebies, stating, “The court says giving benefits to the poor makes them parasites. But does waiving off corporate loans also make corporations parasites? Instead of blindly supporting political parties, citizens must scrutinise how public funds are utilised. Politicians are not rulers; they are servants of the people,” he added.
Regarding discussions on Karnataka having a Dalit chief minister, Prakash Raj criticised both major parties, saying, “While the BJP thinks about destroying Ambedkar’s legacy, Congress looks at how to use it for political gains. All political parties are setting narratives, treating Dalits, farmers, and the poor as mere vote banks. Elections should be about national progress, but instead, they are fought on caste and money. We, the people, are permanent; politicians are not.”
He also supported a recent Kerala court observation that elected representatives should resign and seek a fresh mandate before switching parties. “A leader who buys or manipulates others to bring down a government is not a strategist but a threat to democracy. This is why we are lagging in development,” he opined.
Commenting on the US deporting illegal Indian immigrants, Prakash Raj said, “If someone enters a country illegally, they will be sent back. But the real question is—why are so many Indians leaving the country illegally? Have we created enough job opportunities here? We need to address the root cause of the problem rather than just reacting to deportations.”