New Delhi: Even as the opposition parties criticized Modi-led government for inducting BJP sympathizers into CBFC, an unfazed Censor Board Chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his action hero and said that he was proud to be a BJP person.
Speaking to a news channel, Nihalani denied reports that he had been hand picked by the government.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “I am proud to say I am a BJP person. I believe in the BJP. Narendra Modi is the voice of the nation ...
He is my action hero. He is a visionary person”.
Along with him, nine other board members were replaced by people who are either BJP members or are known for their right-wing leanings.
During Lok Sabha elections last year, Pahlaj Nihlani had made a campaign video for BJP — Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi.
Pahlaj Nihalani is a Bollywood producer who succeeded acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer Leela Samson after she stepped down from the post last week, citing government “interference and coercion” following the release of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's controversial film, MSG: The Messenger of God.
Other newly inducted members also supported Modi.
“Modi is the Prime Minister of the country. It is not like we are supporting Dawood or Chhota Shakeel.
If people can support the Congress, what is the problem if we are pro-Modi?” asked Ashoke Pandit.
The NDA government claimed that it had appointed only distinguished people from different fields.
“I agree one or two names are clearly associated with the party, but we have to select eminent people from different fields,” said Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the junior information and broadcasting minister.
