“My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim stepfather and I’m married to a Hindu. I am Indian.”
Remarks from the Chief of Hindu nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) in India, Mohan Bhagwat, questioning the motive behind Mother Teresa’s philanthropic efforts, have spiralled into a full-blown controversy over the last few days.
When Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament Meenakshi Lekhi, jumped to the RSS member’s defence – actress Dia Mirza took to Twitter to criticise Lekhi for her statement.
Dia tweeted: “Shame on you #MeenakshiLekhi you contort personal faith/work to validate a statement that should be condemned. #MotherTeresa.”
She later tweeted, “Actually you know what? I am ashamed. Of our thoughts, our actions and our words. #MotherTeresa.”
With a multitude of negative comments directed at Mirza she responded to the criticism.
She tweeted: “The trolls are out and hard at work.”
She then posted about her interreligious background, saying: “My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim stepfather and I’m married to a Hindu. I am Indian.”
