“The Makers Of Mersal Should Thank The  BJP,” Shatrughan Sinha Bats For Vijay & Mersal

While many other leading  lights  of  the Bharatiya Janata Party have chosen not to comment  on the BJP protests against the comments on the GST in the Tamil film Mersal, the intrepid Shatrughan Sinha has spoken up in favour of  the  film .

“Why are we so defensive about a perfectly legitimate issue that has been  raised in the Tamil film regarding healthcare and  the GST? As  entertainers and actors with powerful voices we have a certain duty towards the public to make them aware  of  socio-political issues. Why  is it such a crime if Vijay who is a very powerful Tamil actor, reminds  us that the poor in our country desperately need healthcare?”

Shatruji is quick to point out that the protestors against Mersal do not represent  the BJP’s official  view. “Has anyone heard the Prime  Minister or any  of  the top leaders commenting  on the  issue? It is  only some elements  in our party who are eager to  prove that they are more loyal than the others. They are the  ones jumping in to attack this perfectly harmless and  very significant point raised  in the film. Instead of attacking Vijay and questioning his credentials we should all take  his words seriously and work towards improving healthcare in  our country.”

Shatruji feels there is  no harm in pulling  up the Government for mistakes. “And  we should gracefully accept that demonetization was  a mistake. I was one  of  the first point it out that it was not right.  So many have lost their jobs, all their savings….Likewise perhaps even the GST is  not what it  was meant  to be. If so, let’s admit out mistake, let’s  roll back..Let’s not be ashamed  to say we are sorry. Instead of attacking actors and artistes for drawing attention to anomalies  in the workings  of our democracy, we  should applaud them.Valid criticism  must be equally welcome from Amar, Akbar and Anthony.”

Tongue firmly in cheek,  the BJP’s most outspoken soldier feels Marsel has got an irrational amount of publicity. “Thanks to all the  noise that was made over a few dialogues in the film by my overzealous party members, the  film has attracted  much more attention that it would have otherwise. The  makers of  Marselmust be thankful to the BJP.”