Veteran actor Prakash Raj has for many years openly criticized the BJP government at the Centre. He regularly uses the hashtag “Just Asking” on social media to question policies and decisions taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Modi government. Many people agree that questioning those in power is part of democratic rights. At the same time, many feel that some of his remarks go beyond policy backlash and enter sensitive personal or religious territory.
Prakash Raj has often spoken about minority rights, particularly about the safety and concerns of Muslims. He has also frequently opposed what he describes as the Hindutva ideology associated with the BJP. While his supporters see this as standing up for secular values, a section of netizens believes that his comments sometimes hurt Hindu sentiments. They argue that his criticism appears selective and that he targets certain ideologies more strongly than others.
The latest controversy began after he reacted to the trailer of The Kerala Story 2. The trailer reportedly includes a scene showing a Hindu woman being assaulted by Muslim men and forced to eat beef. Reacting to it, Prakash Raj posted on social media, calling it the “real Kerala story,” and spoke about how beef dishes are commonly prepared and enjoyed in Kerala. He described the cuisine in a positive way, which immediately triggered backlash.
Many right wingers questioned why he chose to focus specifically on beef. They argued that if he disagreed with the film’s portrayal, he could have questioned its authenticity or criticized the narrative directly. Instead, by bringing up beef, an issue that is sensitive for many Hindus because the cow is considered sacred, they felt he unnecessarily provoked religious sentiments.
Supporters of Prakash Raj say he was exercising his right to free speech and pushing back against what he views as propaganda. On the other hand, haters accuse him of frequently targeting Hindu beliefs while rarely criticizing Islam or Christianity with the same intensity.
