Malayalam star Mohanlal faces flak for supporting Centre's demonetisation move in blog

Malayalam actor Mohanlal's latest blog on demonetisation is making headlines after he has made a comparison between queues outside the ATM and liquor outlets.

Mohanlal in his blog said "I realise that the ban of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 is for a good virtuous country and so I give a big salute for it".

While applauding the decision of PM Modi, Mohanlal adds "People stand in queue in front of cinema theaters, liquor outlets and also in places of worship without any complaint, so there is nothing wrong in standing in queues for a good is my opinion."

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"I understand that above all the immediate inconveniences, it is for a good cause".     

The actor said his views should not be seen as that of an economic expert, but the opinion of a common man without any prejudice.        

However, the actor was lampooned in the social media for his comment in favour of demonetisation and on people standing in queues. The actor tweeted

My Latest Blog: " A Big Salute to Virtuous India "https://t.co/WWuSNN4tKt

— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) November 21, 2016

Since post Monday, critics have started a hashtag campaign called ‘The Complete Disaster’.

Kerala PCC vice-president V D Satheesan criticised  Mohanlal on the same basis.

“He should have understood that people are standing in queue at banks and ATMs not to buy liquor but to collect their money. He has insulted the poor people who have collapsed to death while standing in queue… to get their hard-earned money for treatment or marriage,” Satheesan said.

Satheesan, the Congress leader, accused Mohanlal of a “zeal to become a Narendra Modi fan”. The BJP rallied behind the actor. Former state BJP president V Muraleedharan said it was undemocratic to attack Mohanlal for having express his opinion. “Anyone can object to his opinion. But that should not come to making abuses,’’ he said.

BJP National Executive member V Muraleedharan defended the actor's remark and said personal attacks against him cannot be justified.     

"Some people were using the remark as a weapon to attack the actor personally and it cannot be justified at any cost,"he said.