Netizens slam Tulu actor Shobharaj over his petrol hike remark

Mangaluru: Amid the COVID crisis in the country, India has been witnessing a constant fuel price hike for the past 19 days. While the opposition is planning agitations and protests in various ways in the time of coronavirus, people on social media expressed their concern in various ways over the constantly rising price of fuel.

Tulu actor Shobharaj too shared a sarcastic comment on his social media account and deleted it soon after he faced severe criticism from the netizens.

“Namo namage mosa, Petrol Dhaga Dhaga, Diesel Bhaga bhaga (Namo-referring to PM Modi- cheated us, Petrol and diesel price are shooting up),” Shobharaj had shared on his social media account.

Following Shobharaj’s remark, many people criticized him and also threatened him saying that they will teach him a lesson. Soon the actor deleted his status and wrote another message seeking an apology.

“I pay the tax and have voted for Modi. I believe that I have the right to share my thoughts as a citizen of this nation. If my previous comment has hurt your feeling I’m sorry for it,” wrote Shobharaj.

The actor later even pulled down his apology post as social media users kept sending hate messages. Meanwhile few netizens came to Shobharaj’s defense saying that each person has a right to express their views.

Muneer Katipala in a facebook post wondered how Modi supporters are venting their ire at the talented actor-director for speaking against surging petrol prices. He urged their entire Tulu industry to stand in support of Shobharaj during this time fearing that such suppression will lead to stifling of voices in the future.

The fuel prices in India have been increasing since December, based on a global improvement in crude oil rates. The country allows the oil corporations to ascertain the prices, based on international factors.

The opposition parties have demanded that the Narendra Modi-led government reduce the duties levied on petroleum products to provide relief to consumers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 21-22, on February 1, proposed a new agriculture cess of Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol and Rs 4 on diesel. The prices, however, would not be increased due to the cess because of a reduction in other duties, she clarified.