Gauri Lankesh murder: Actor Prakash Raj hits out at Prime Minister Modi for inaction; threatens to return National Awards

In the recently held meeting of 11th state meet of the Democratic Youth Federation of India in Bengaluru, actor Prakash Raj slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for turning a blind eye towards who were celebrating veteran journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder.

The actor says that "Gauri’s killers may not have been caught yet but it is distressing that there are those who celebrated her death. We may not be able to see Gauri’s killers but we can see those who have spewed malice".

"I say you keep it. I don't want the awards. Don't tell me that good days will come", said the 'Iruvar' actor.

"I am a renowned actor, do you (Modi) think I will not be able to detect when you are acting. At least show me some respect, considering the fact that I am an actor and I will be able to tell what is the truth and what is acting," quotes a Newsminute report as the actor saying.

He went on to say that it is hard to say whether 'he' is the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or a temple priest. Prakash Raj, who has won five National Awards in multiple languages said that he should give his awards to him.

Slain Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh and Prakash Raj's friendship is three decades old. Lankesh, known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home in Bengaluru on the night of September 5. She was running a Kannada publication called 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike'.