Recently, at The Economic Times’ ET Awards 2019 event in Mumbai, industrialist Rahul Bajaj raised concerns over the public’s fear in criticizing the ruling party at the centre, BJP.
He started off by saying that his name was given to him by Jawahar Lal Nehru and he was always anti-establishment, whether the government in power was UPA or anybody else.
He directed his questions towards Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. He also talked about Pragya Thakur’s remarks on Nathuram Godse, cases of mob lynchings, and lack of convictions.
We don’t want to say certain things but we see that until now no one has been convicted…. UPA_II mein toh hum kisi ko bhi gaali de sakte the. Aap achhe kaam kar rahe hain, uske baad bhi, hum aapko criticize openly karein – confidence nahin hai ki you’ll appreciate that.
Twitterati was quick to praise him for his direct approach:
#RahulBajaj is clearly the ONLY major business/industry leader with courage to speak truth to power. It’s honestly surprising that there is even one! More power to you, Sir.https://t.co/QuZFMPOvKL
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) November 30, 2019
There is #RahulBajaj!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) December 1, 2019
And then there is the rest of the selfie taking, pusillanimous bunch of India Inc. singing paeans of a failed government.
They don’t make them like they used to.
I’d advise everyone to watch this Video for Sure & RT!
— Saurabh Rai 🇮🇳 (@SaurabhRai_INC) November 30, 2019
After a Long time I’m seeing a Man despite being an industrialist creating eye contact with @AmitShah & Questioned him on #TerroristPragyaThakur & Dignity of PM Modi.
Huge Respect & Salute for Sh.#RahulBajaj pic.twitter.com/covXQ0DtNi
A rare Indian industrialist finds his voice, speaks out with courage. The doughty #RahulBajaj tells @AmitShah at @EconomicTimes awards: you have created a climate of fear, people are scared of voicing any criticism of the government. Shd’ve also said: No growth if so much fear
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) December 1, 2019
#RahulBajaj Rahul Bajaj has risen manifold in my esteem. The only man to have done plain speaking in front of Amit Shah, without bothering about IT, CBI, ED raids; which seem to have pulverised entire business community.
— RKHuria (@rkhuria) November 30, 2019
Industrialist #RahulBajaj seems to have conveyed his #MannKiBaat to Home Minister #AmitShah directly… questions that no industrialist or corporate giant will dare to ask the current dispensation. Blunt & Upfront. https://t.co/8t0uVybnkk
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) November 30, 2019
‘People had the freedom to criticize the UPA government but the current regime has created an environment of fear and uncertainty.’ – #RahulBajaj speaking truth to power. pic.twitter.com/xJhckhCR6T
— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) November 30, 2019
Kudos to Indian Business leader #RahulBajaj
— Ashis Basu (@BasuAshis) December 1, 2019
for speaking his mind in an event where India’s second most powerful politician, Amit Shah was present. There is a climate of fear in India and citizens are scared to speak up, lest they be charged with sedition.https://t.co/toIngwX9da
Home minister Amit Shah responded to his concerns by stating that there was no reason for citizens to be afraid. He also added that senior party leaders had condemned Pragya Thakur for her remarks.
Watch the video here.
