Former Union Minister and BJP leader Prahlad Patel embroiled himself in controversy after he made controversial remarks at a public gathering in Rajgarh district on Saturday, after unveiling the statue of warrior queen and legendary freedom fighter Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi.
Here, Prahlad Patel termed public demand petitions as “begging.” While addressing the people, he said, “People have developed a habit of begging from the government. Leaders come, and they are handed a basket full of petitions. They are garlanded on stage, and a letter is placed in their hands. This is not a good habit. Instead of asking, cultivate the mindset of giving. I assure you, this will lead to a happier life and help build a cultured society.”
A clip of his speech has surfaced online. His remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders.
Madhya Pradesh minister took a critical stand on the issue of freebies, stating such practices weaken society rather than strengthening it. “This army of beggars is not making society stronger; it is making it weaker. The attraction towards free things is not a mark of respect for brave women. A martyr is truly honored when we live by their values,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jeetu Patwari hit out at the minister, stating “the people who decided the fate of BJP cannot be beggars.”
Responding to the viral clip, Patwari in a social media post said, “I want to reiterate with great humility that this extreme level of arrogance is also backed by the massive and overwhelming one-sided vote that BJP Madhya Pradesh received from the people! Otherwise, not just in Madhya Pradesh but across the entire country, not a single BJP MLA, MP, Minister, Chief Minister, or even the Prime Minister has the status to call the public ‘beggars’!”
