Nobody, NOBODY, is above criticism, justified or not. It is part of human nature, to bristle up and challenge any factor that seems to be out to oppress you or manipulate you in ways that are contrary to your natural and learned behaviors.
Now sometimes this ends up with YOU being the one getting the fetch upside the head, or your butt kicked so hard that nosebleed results. Then there are one of two ways to respond to this - either reassert your individuality, or humbly submit to the obvious superiority of the one who mopped up the floor with you.
At best, there may only exist an uneasy truce, and at worst, somebody dies, maybe both parties. Unless, of course that ugly thing known as compromise rears its head, and a new agreement equally repugnant to both parties is adopted.
Rule one - do not be too easily offended.
Rule two - do not offend just for the purpose of offense.
Do you really want to know who RULES over you? It is the individual people who you cannot criticize.