A viral video shows Raj praising Nalapad a month before the incident, but now, the actor has said he regrets being part of the event.
Bengaluru: Actor Prakash Raj, among the most vocal film stars on political issues, has found himself in an ‘embarrassing’ situation.
Last week, a Congress MLA’s son attacked a young man at a restaurant in Bengaluru for his alleged “lack of decorum”, drawing widespread condemnation. But a video that has gone viral on social media shows Raj praising the attacker, Mohammed Haris Nalapad, calling him a ‘well-bred child’ at an event in Bengaluru a month before the incident. Nalapad is the son of Shantinagar MLA N.A. Haris.
After the video created outrage, Raj first remained silent for a while, before finally tweeting: “I strongly condemn this act and strongest action should be taken against such acts. Our society cannot tolerate such arrogance whoever he is.”
Speaking on camera for the first time since the incident, Raj told ThePrint that a month ago, when he praised him, he didn’t know Mohammed Nalapad was a ‘demon’. He said he regrets being part of that event.
“A boy was hit by Nalapad, and yes I went and spoke during his programme. This young boy did something through a foundation which I thought must be an inspiration for others. I did not know there was a demon in him,” Raj said.
“One month later, the demon comes out, and I am sorry I did that. And I have returned his money, I denounce it.”
The incident was brought into focus by BJP national president Amit Shah, who at a public function in Mangaluru, claimed that Vidhwath, who was attacked by Nalapad, was a BJP functionary. Shah had to withdraw his statement after he realised that Vidhwath had no connections to the party. But this too created a social media buzz as people began questioning the BJP.
Raj turned up the heat on Shah for trying to “communalise the issue”. “Amit Shah goes to Mangaluru and says Vidhwath is a BJP man. And later, his own party man corrects him. What is their game plan? Communalise everything?” he asked.
The incident
The brutal assault on Vidhwath by Nalapad and his associates was reported on 18 February. According to a complaint filed by Praveen Venkatachalaiah, he and his friend Vidhwath were brutally beaten up by Nalapad, as the latter did not ‘approve’ of the way Vidhwath was seated in a restaurant. Vidhwath’s leg was in a plaster, and he had put it on a chair for support, which Nalapad allegedly didn’t like.
The victims alleged that Nalapad along with 10 to 15 of his henchmen punched Vidhwath in his face, broke his nose, and attacked him with bottles until he fell unconscious on the floor.
CCTV footage recovered from the restaurant showed the brutal altercation. Nalapad was also seen following Vidhwath and his friend to the parking lot and continuing to assault him.
Praveen rushed his friend to the nearest hospital, where he continues to undergo treatment. Nalapad even followed Vidhwath to the hospital to threaten him of dire consequences.
Nalapad is under judicial custody until 7 March.