Indore: Renowned actor Shabana Azmi said here on Saturday that these days anyone who criticises the government is dubbed as “anti-national”.
There is nothing wrong with talking about the shortcomings of one’s country because it leads to progress, she said.
Azmi was addressing a gathering here where she was feted with the ‘Kunti Mathur Award’ instituted by the Anandmohan Mathur Charitable Trust, for her work for women.
“In the interest of our country, it is necessary that we also point out its shortcomings. If we do not point out the flaws, how would the conditions improve?” she asked.
Bol ke lab Aazaad hain tere Bol zabaan ab tak teri hai… Bol ke sach zinda hai ab tak Bol jo kuch kehna hai keh ley
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) July 8, 2019
4 d record in Safdar Hashmi murder I took on HKL Bhagat of Congress publicly.I challenged Imam Bukhari on national TV 4 which he called me a naachnewali n was condemned by both Houses of Parliament.Hve spoken against triple talaq n halala repeatedly so who is selective ?
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) July 8, 2019
“But the atmosphere now is such that if you criticise, especially the government, you are immediately branded as anti-national.
“We should not be afraid of this. Nobody needs their certificate,” Azmi said, without naming any political party or ideology.
“We have grown up in ‘Ganga-Jamni’ (composite) culture. We should not kneel before this situation. India is a beautiful country. Any attempt to divide people cannot be good for this country,” the actor added.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh was also present at the event.
(PTI)