Get Govt officials to quit drinking, Big B tells Ramadoss

WAR OF WORDS: Big B says Ramadoss' campaign against smoking and drinking is over zealous.

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New Delhi: After Saif Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore, it was Amitabh Bachchan’s turn to take on Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss. Bachchan has asked the minister to first ask Government officers to quit drinking and smoking before he expects the same from actors.

Bachchan spoke his mind through his newfound love for blogging. Big B said that Ramadoss' campaign against smoking and drinking is over zealous.

He wondered that when it comes to issuing licenses to the liquor lobby, why the Government goes all out to please them.

He also questioned whether Ramadoss would consider banning beedi leaf plantations in UP and Madhya Pradesh.

Bachchan writes: "Our intoxication, Mr Minister, is in the credibility we bring to a drunken scene without being literally drunk, not propagate alcoholism."

“Could we dare to inquire whether you, being in governance, have considered first to ban this dreaded habit from all Government servants in the country," Bachchan said in his latest blog.

However, he also said that the film industry will follow diligently if he brings about a law to ban smoking and drinking in films.

Noting that the film industry shall follow diligently if the Minister brings a law to ban drinking in films, Bachchan said the "liquor lobby" is accorded great respectability on issuance of a license to manufacture liquor or make gracious contribution to the government coffers.

He also said that he has been named on Ramadoss' no- smoking campaign, along with Shah Rukh Khan.

"Some of the posters of two of my not too recent films have led you to believe that there has been a grave destruction of the ethics of your campaign," he said.

Even Tamil actor Vijayakant has criticised Ramadoss for showing concern over film actors being shown consuming liquor on screen.

(With agency inputs)