Indian Lawmaker Attends Parliament Dressed as Hitler

A politician in India showed up to parliament dressed as Adolf Hitler on Thursday. Naramalli Sivaprasad wore the costume in an attempt to push for more funding for his south Indian state, Andhra Pradesh.

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Indian politician, Naramalli Sivaprasad, arrives at parliament dressed as Adolf Hitler on August 9. AFP/Getty

"I started as a soldier in the German army and earned great respect," Sivaprased said, dressed in a khaki suit coupled with a swastika armband and a toothbrush mustache. "But I was greedy for power and as a result became responsible for World War II, which resulted in the death of several people and I also killed myself," he said in an impersonation of Hitler.

This isn't the first time that the Indian actor turned politician has worn a costume to a session of parliament. Among other costumes, he has previously dressed as famous characters from Hindu mythology and as a Hindu god.

"What I am doing will grab attention quickly, it will make people think," Sivaprased told the BBC.

Nazi imagery is common in India. Hitler was included alongside Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela in a children's book about inspiring world leaders in March of this year.

Hitler's book Mein Kampf is popular in India and can be found on sale throughout the country. In fact, the history of the Holocaust is not well known in India and Hitler is seen as being a strong leader rather than a dictator who killed millions, reported the BBC.

A clothing store named "Hitler" was opened in the Indian state of Gujarat in 2012. The stores opening prompted Israel's consul general in Mumbai to ask the store owner to change the name, CBS News reported. The store's owner said that his partner suggested naming the store after a nickname given to his harsh grandfather. He also said that he didn't know about the history of the Nazi dictator at the time.

Sivaprasad accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of backpedaling from an agreement that would provide funds for his state and said that Thursday's stunt was meant to convey a message to the head of state.

The Telugu Desam Party left Modi's coalition in March because of the lack of funding. The party also launched a vote of no confidence last month in an attempt to overturn the government, but it proved to be unsuccessful.

"He does not get the pulse of what people want and I want to urge him not to be like him (Hitler)," Sivaprasad said.

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