NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — There is fun and furor galore in India as veteran Indian film actor Rishi Kapoor continues to trend on twitter for slamming the Indian National Congress for naming innumerable national assets in honor of Gandhi family members.
In a series of tweets, Kapoor questioned the rationale behind naming roads and institutions after former Prime Ministers Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi instead of freedom fighters and other prominent figures who have contributed to society. He tweeted — "Baap Ka Maal samajh rakha tha?" meaning; "You thought they were your father's property?" A string of reactions followed under the tag #BaapKaMaal.
Change Gandhi family assets named by Congress.Bandra/Worli Sea Link to Lata Mangeshkar or JRD Tata link road. Baap ka maal samjh rakha tha?
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) 17 May 2016
The twitterati had a good laugh at the wisecracks and witticisms that followed.
We must name important assets of the country who have contributed to society. Har cheez Gandhi ke naam? I don't agree. Sochna log!
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) 17 May 2016
The 63-year-old star has a fan following of over 1.7 million on Twitter, some of whom slammed him for his comprehension of Indian history and not understanding the contributions of the Gandhi family.
Why Indira G airport International? Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What say?
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) 17 May 2016
Some took to sharing photos of Rishi Kapoor's father Raj Kapoor and grandfather Prithvi Raj Kapoor with Congress leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Sir @chintskap, baap se yaad aaya, who's sitting at the feet of Reverend Smt Indira Gandhi? pic.twitter.com/meERfD8ure
— IBTL (@IndiaBTL) 17 May 2016
Nevertheless, a good number of supporters backed his opinion.
Thank you Rishi Kapoor ji for raising this. By speaking truth, you earn our respect. May the universe bless you! https://t.co/Rd9eQ76eix
— Tufail Ahmad (@tufailelif) 18 May 2016
Some saw it as insignificant and shallow.
Maybe instead of renaming roads we built and maintained them properly, it wouldn't matter what we name them.
— The Cult of Bajirao (@bizzarebhide) 18 May 2016
A number of prominent figures also reacted with sarcasm.
When is the Taj Mahal going to be renamed?
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) 18 May 2016
Meanwhile, sporadic protests by activists of the Indian National Congress were witnessed outside Rishi Kapoor's residence in Mumbai. Many leading Television Channels conducted debates on the subject where politicians and members of the film industry were seen both supporting and criticizing Kapoor for his comments.
According to official records, Gandhi family names have been used for at least 450 different schemes, projects, institutions, landmark structures, awards, fellowships, parks and sanctuaries, hospitals, festivals and roads.
The Gandhi family is not the offspring of Mahatma Gandhi as many may believe. The Gandhi family is the family of Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister.
