Recently at an event, Prakash Raj was asked to comment about the ongoing Sabarimala controversy. The actor's answer has triggered a row because he allegedly said that Lord Ayyappa is not a God.

Reacting to the news that he disrespected the Sabarimala deity, Prakash Raj described it as "fake news. "BEWARE of these FAKE NEWS mongers ..spreading a blatant LIE..that I said LORD AYYAPPA is not a GOD ..only to make my fellow HINDUS hate me," the actor began saying.

"During an interaction when I was asked about God, women and tradition, I said when we as a civilized society regard women as Goddess, Mother Earth and Bharatha Matha, and if she wants to worship, let her have the right to do so. Any devotee who stops her from doing so is not a devotee, any religion which deprives her right to worship is not a religion, and any god (please note, any god), who doesn't want her to worship him is not a god," Prakash Raj said in his clarification.

The 'Nawab' and 'Hello Guru Prema Kosame' artist said that he is not a Christian although his mother is one. His wife is a Hindu but he is not one, he added. "I don't mock or question anybody's beliefs," he said.