Of late Telugu film director, Puri Jagannadh seems to be following his Guru and controversial director Ramgopal Verma in inviting controversies with statements. Since the pandemic lockdown has given many a leisure hours for TFI members, Puri is coming out with podcast audios expressing his views on issues such as free education, reservations, voting rights etc.
In one of his latest podcasts, the director has expressed his strong views on social issues. Taking a swipe on schemes to dole out freebies to the people, he said, “It has become the order of the day to continue living like poor people, receiving benefits through Government schemes.” Not stopping there, he had gone a step further and demanded to scrap voting rights to white ration cardholders.
He questioned how come the fate of a good leader be decided by people who vote for money and liquor. The film director also strongly opposed reservations based on caste; instead, he suggested awarding reservations based on poverty. The film director suggested disenfranchising illiterates and fixing a minimum educational qualification for voting in election. Puri Jagannadh is of the view that one should not stretch one’s hand when he/she is fit and can work. Following these comments, several Dalit organisations have launched an attack on him.
