File photo of Rishi Kapoor at a press conference for “Kapoor & Sons” in Mumbai, Mar. 25. (AFP | Getty Images)

In a series of tweets, Rishi Kapoor has attacked the practice of naming all the major assets of the country after the Gandhi family members during the Congress rule. (@Siliconeer, #Siliconeer, #Bollywood, #RishiKapoor, #Protest, #Kapoorandsons, #Gandhis, #India, #CongressParty, #Nehruisation, @chintskap, #chintskap)

The 63-year-old veteran actor, who had in the recent past, been critical of the Saffron forces on issues like intolerance, picked up the Congress for his blast this time.

Kapoor said the names of the prominent places should be changed after those who worked for the welfare of the country.

“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? (Did they consider it family property?)

“If roads in Delhi can be changed why not Congress assets/property ke naam? Was in Chandigarh wahan bhi Rajeev Gandhi assets? Socho? Why? (sic),” the actor tweeted.

The “Kapoor & Sons” star said people from the film industry should also have buildings named after them.

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

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

Congress Party workers protest against Rishi Kapoor over his remarks on naming of roads, in Mumbai, May 18. (Press Trust of India)
Congress Party workers protest against Rishi Kapoor over his remarks on naming of roads, in Mumbai, May 18. (Press Trust of India)

Kapoor said even Delhi’s international airport should be named after personalities like Bhagat Singh or Bhimrao Ambedkar.

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

The actor said his father legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor has done more good to the country than any politician.

“Raj Kapoor has made India proud over the years all over even after his death. Certainly more than what has been perceived by politics (sic),” he wrote.

Actor Anupam Kher said Kapoor’s tweets are genuine thought.

“Rishi Kapoorji has thought about it and I am sure a lot of people think about a lot of things that they put on social networking sites. It’s genuine thought. It is not necessarily against the particular family…,” Kher said, adding that the achievements of other people should also be lauded.

“Salutes to @chintskap for speaking the truth. The #Nehruisation of this country has to go. There is no different, between them & the Britishers,” said filmmaker and censor board member Ashoke Pandit.

Reacting to Kapoor’s tweets, Congress spokesperson P.C. Chacko, without naming the actor, said it was merely an attempt by some people to get into the good books of those in power.

“I had not seen the tweets but it seems that some people are trying to abuse the Congress leadership just to get into the good books of BJP. This is a cheap game that some people are playing,” Chacko said.

“…May be they want to please somebody in power. They can have it but not at the expense of Congress… We don’t take it seriously and it is not worth any comments at all,” he said.