Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma backs Rishi Kapoor's rant against Nehru-Gandhi names on national assets

Now, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has come out in support of actor Rishi Kapoor, who had questioned the naming of assets in the country after the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in a series of tweets recently.

According to a Times of India report, the minister said that the idea was a sentiment held by many in the country. "A lot of people were aggrieved that so many institutions are named after only one family. They were disappointed and felt that this was inappropriate. I would say many in Congress feel the same. Now they are expressing their dissatisfaction," he told the daily.

He also countered charges of cultural institutions undergoing a 'saffronisation', saying, "What people call saffronisation is actually nationalism." He added that while the RSS makes suggestions from time to time that are often accepted, there was no interference in governance.

Rishi Kapoor had on May 17 taken to Twitter questioning the naming of roadways, airports and railway stations after the Gandhi family.

Change Gandhi family assets named by Congress.Bandra/Worli Sea Link to Lata Mangeshkar or JRD Tata link road. Baap ka maal samjh rakha tha ?

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

If roads in Delhi can be changed why not Congress assets/property ke naam? Was in Chandigarh wahan bhi Rajeev Gandhi assets? Socho? Why?

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

We must name important assets of the country who have contributed to society. Har cheez Gandhi ke naam? I don't agree. Sochna log!

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

Film City should be named Dilip Kumar,Dev Anand,Ashok Kumar ya Amitabh Bachchan ke naam? Rajeev Gandhi udyog Kya hota hai? Socho doston!

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

Imagine Mohamad Rafi Mukesh Manna Dey Kishore Kumar venues on their name like in our country. Just a suggestion

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

Why Indira G airport International ? Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What say?

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

Raj Kapoor has made India proud over the years all over even after his death. Certainly more than What has been perceived by politics.

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 17, 2016

The comments by Kapoor raked up a huge controversy. Congress supporters staged a protest outside his house on Wednesday, while Anupam Kher came out in his support and said, "You need courage to say it". On the other hand, Maharashtra MLA Eknath Shinde refused to comment on the issue.

However, none of this deterred the actor, who stuck to his opinion. 

Thank you all for your unprecedented unconditional support,love and solidarity for what I said. Mera Bharat Mahaan!

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 18, 2016

Thank you, thank you world over! Your reaction coming is unprecedented. I meant it from my heart and you know it. And I know you know it!

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 18, 2016

THINK. There are 64 prominent places named after them only in New Delhi! Do you need that many to commemorate them? pic.twitter.com/zdmVEAaal7

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 19, 2016