49 celebs Lobby replies to 62 celebs over intolerance letter to PM, claims 'no conspiracy here'

After a group of celebrities have written a letter against selective outrage and false narratives and the BJP saying that crime is a crime and they should not give communal colour to it, Citizen Speak India using which 49 celebrities had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on mob lynching, has released a press release on Friday clarifying its stance.

Press release by 49-celebs group clarifying stance

In the press release its states that they have no conspiracy against the nation saying that they have freedom of expression. They have added that they will not engage in any debate as they are 'only answerable to PM Modi'.

Here's the press release:  

"There is nothing in our letter that can even remotely be construed as a conspiracy against the nation. The constitution guarantees us the right to express our concern about minority communities. We have mentioned certain facts and statistics about minorities and Dalits, based on reliable research, in a letter to our Prime Minister. We are waiting for his reply. We have received many responses, both positive and negative to our letter, but do not consider ourselves accountable to anyone except the honorable Prime Minister himself. We will, not, therefore, engage in any debate with anyone. We will respond in our own time in a separate press conference."

Now, 62 Celebs Counter 49 Peers' Letter To PM Modi; Kangana Ranaut, Prasoon Joshi Lead The Way

Celebs group counter letter to PM Modi

Earlier in the day, a group of celebrities and socialities had come forward in support of the government and written a letter against selective outrage and false narratives. The signatories of the two-page document include celebrities across all professions in the likes of Bollywood, theatre, professors, and artists. 

Addressing the prior 'intolerance' letter written to the Prime Minister, the counter document addressed the Forty-nine celebrities as self-styled “guardians” and “conscience keepers” of the nation with selective concern and claimed that they have demonstrated clear political bias and motive.

Listing twelve flashpoints that the former letter's signatories have strangely kept quiet on, the 2-page document also states that the 'intolerance' lobby did not display the courage to stand beside women who are struggling against the regressive Triple Talaq tradition and that they choose to speak up only on 'selective issues'.

BJP Responds To 49 Celebrities' Intolerance Letter To PM Modi, Says 'crime Is Crime, Stop Communalising It

What is the letter to the PM about?

Even as the government continues to take a firm stand against those misusing religion or religious teaching, the 49 celebrities have in their letter demanded the stop of incidents of 'lynching of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities, citing NCRB reports. They have also demanded immediate action against those propagating religious identity-based hate crimes. They have asked in their letter as to what action has been taken. "What action has been actually been taken against the perpetrators? We strongly feel that such offences should be declared non-bailable, and that exemplary punishment should be meted out swiftly and surely."