Actor Kabir Bedi criticizes Modi government's budget, calls tax on middle class 'cruel'

Actor Kabir Bedi has expressed his disappointment with the recent budget. He has criticised the government for imposing heavy taxes on the middle class, calling it "cruel".

The actor took to social media to express his views, saying, "I have supported PM Modi for the last 10 years and, on the balance, still do. But I am angered by the heavy taxation of the middle class in this budget."

"It’s a big mistake to bleed the people who can least afford it, people who pay rising rents and prices, most painful for the salaried. The government can raise its revenues in more progressive ways. This taxation is cruel. " he added.

Bedi's comments come amid a growing debate on the budget's impact on the middle class.

Many experts believe that the budget has neglected the middle class, with no increase in income tax exemption limits or investment limits under sections 80C and 80D.

The government has also introduced a new tax regime with limited deductions, which has discouraged people from investing. The budget has also increased long term capital gains tax from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent, on the other hand, for short term capital gains tax, 15-20 per cent.