Ravi Shankar Prasad withdraws his statement ‘no economic slowdown as 3 movies earned Rs 120 crore’

New Delhi: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said that he was withdrawing his statement denying economic slowdown by referring earnings of three super hit films.

Issuing a press statement, Mr Prasad said “My comments made yesterday in Mumbai about 3 films making Rs120 Cr in a single day - the highest ever, was a factually correct statement. I had stated this as I was in Mumbai - the film capital of India”.

Earlier the day in Mumbai, the Minister was asked for his comments on the economic slowdown while addressing a press conference, he dismissed and referred to the movies data saying that the economy was sound and that is why the country earned Rs 120 crore from three movies.

“We are very proud of our film industry which provides employment to lakhs of people and contributes significantly by way of taxes. I had also explained in detail about various measures that the Government has taken as pro-people move to strengthen our economy. Govt of PM Narendra Modi always cares for the sensitivity of common people,” Mr Prasad further said in the statement.

“Entire video of my media interaction is available on my social media. Yet I regret to note that one part of my statement has been completely twisted out of context. Being a sensitive person I withdraw this comment,” the statement added.

Soon after his statement, the Union Minister received huge blacklash from Opposition while Congress Party termed his statement as insensitive.

Slamming Mr Prasad’s statement, Congress General Secretary Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra in a tweet said “Its sad that millions of people in the country losing their jobs, their money is frozen in the banks, the Government is not worried about the public grief. It is only concerned about the profits of the film”.

Mantri ji filmi dunia se baahar nikaliye aur haqikat se moogh mat churaiye’( Mr Minister, come out of the filmi world. Do not hide from reality), she further said on twitter. (UNI)