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    After facing backlash, Prakash Raj clarifies Chandrayaan-3 moon landing joke; says 'hate sees only hate'

    Synopsis

    Actor Prakash Raj has clarified his intentions behind a post that seemingly mocked India's Chandrayaan-3 moon landing mission. The Chandrayaan-3 mission is significant for India as it aims to achieve a historic feat by successfully landing the Vikram Lander on the lunar south pole.

    Prakash Raj stated that he was referring to a joke about the first thing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin saw on the moon, which was a Malayali selling tea.Agencies
    Prakash Raj stated that he was referring to a joke about the first thing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin saw on the moon, which was a Malayali selling tea. (Image Source: Instagram/ @joinprakashraj)
    Actor Prakash Raj, who was recently slammed online for sharing a post that seemingly mocked India's Chandrayaan-3 moon landing mission, has now broken his silence and shared a clarification.

    Responding to the backlash, the actor took to Twitter on Monday evening and clarified his intentions behind the post, shedding light on the humorous context that seemed to have been missed by some.

    Addressing the matter, Prakash Raj stated, "Hate sees only hate. I was referring to a joke of Armstrong times, celebrating our kerala Chaiwala. Which Chaiwala did the trolls see ?? If you don't get a joke then the joke is on you. Grow up."


    The original post that sparked the controversy on Monday depicted an individual clad in a vest and lungi, pouring tea, accompanied by the caption, "First picture coming from the Moon by #VikramLander."

    Following the posting of the 'moon picture,' the internet swiftly condemned the actor for what they perceived as "blind hatred."

    Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi criticised him and wrote, "I condemn Prakash Raj for this shameful tweet. Success of ISRO is success of India."


    While criticism surged, there was also a segment of internet users who came to the actor's defence, offering a different take on the entire issue.

    Dr. Roshan, a social media user, explained in a tweet, "Those who know only hate will see only hate. If it makes any difference, @prakashraaj is referencing a joke (that predates anyone you feel he is insulting) about how we find Keralites at every corner of the world and how the first thing Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin saw when they stepped foot on the moon was a Malayali selling tea there."


    After the actor shared his response, some users acknowledged his explanation while others remained sceptical. One commenter noted, "Unlike Mr. Prakash Raj's jokes, Chandrayaan 3 will actually land successfully."


    Another wrote, "This guy is purely synonymous to hatred. He hates the country and hates anything about India. But there is one thing he has identified …. He identifies Modi with India. So don’t be surprised when he hates India because he hates Modi."


    Beyond the controversy, the Chandrayaan-3 mission itself holds significance. India's lunar exploration endeavour, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to achieve a historic feat by successfully landing the Vikram Lander on the lunar south pole.

    If successful, India would join an elite group of nations including the United States, Russia, and China to have achieved such a milestone.

    The mission marks India's third lunar venture and represents its second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the Moon's surface. The previous mission, Chandrayaan-2, faced challenges in its final stages and did not attain its intended goal.

    Initiated in January 2020, Chandrayaan-3's development phase encountered delays due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. On July 14, the spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. It is expected to touch down on the lunar surface on August 23.

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