Mangaluru: Actor turned politician Ramya, who is in eye of storm over her statement on Pakistan, tasted bit of anger from certain people of Mangaluru on Thursday evening when she landed in city.
While some persons allegedly affiliated to the BJP threw eggs at her car while she was plying from Mangaluru Airport to the city, later in the night the protest against her intensified. Ramya was in a cultural programme organised by Kadri Cricketers in the city as part of Krishna Janmashtami celebrations when angry protesters continued to pelt stones, eggs and footwear at her as she was perched on the stage.
After her speech, when the protesters turned angry, the police had to take control of the situation. For a while, the police were seen on the stage, escorting the actor off stage. It is said that some people have been detained.
It may be recalled that Ramya had recently said that people from Pakistan are nice and it is wrong to call them names. The statement had not gone too well with many. But, here in Mangaluru, the saffron hands were angry as they claimed the actor had said that Mangaluru was hell.
Ramya clarifies
Clarifying the same, the actor said that never has she ever said that Mangaluru was hell. “I have had good bond with people from Mangaluru and I have always loved the place. I have no idea how this confusion has cropped up,” she said.
Earlier, Ramya had spoken about her experience during her visit to Pakistan to attend SAARC conference. “It is true that until I landed in Islamabad, I was also apprehensive about the state of affairs in Pakistan after having listened to, and read about what was happening across that country. But from the very moment I landed in Pakistan, I felt that my preconceived notions were completely wrong. Their cities are just like any of our cities in India, so are the people. In fact, I landed without my bags and did not even have a spare set of clothes. I went to shop at a local market without any security, accompanied by fellow women parliamentarians from that country,” she said.
She further said, “The moment traders got to know that I have come from the other side of the border, they had many questions for me on the hardships of getting a travel visa, and travelling across the border. They were mostly kind and treated me with sweets and juice. Not one, not two, but most shopkeepers were kind. Be it on this side of the border, or that, commoners have been making genuine efforts to maintain peace between our neighbouring nations.”
