Rights activists demand withdrawal of award to Razakar

A gathering of civil rights groups under the banner of Association for Protection of Civil Rights on Thursday said giving an award to the film Razakar is a violation of the revolutionary spirit of Gaddar and an insult to Telangana's culture and history.
'Gaddar refused Nandi Awards twice. Instituting an award on his name is wrong. But handing over an award named after him to a divisive, mischievous and historically toxic movie like Razakar is plain wrong,' said N. Venugopal, speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad.
'The movie sows seeds of discord among the people of Telangana who have lived together with Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb,' said Mr. Venugopal, author and journalist, as he narrated how the movie sank at the box office.
'The Congress party, which opposed Razakar before its release due to its divisive content, has now endorsed its recognition through the State-backed Gaddar Awards. This contradictory stance has deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims and secular-minded people across Telangana, who view the awards as an endorsement of communal propaganda,' said another speaker on the occasion.
'Revoke the Gaddar Award conferred on Razakar movie, and reassess the award selection process,' said a spokesperson for the Association for Protection of Civil Rights.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Standard

19 minutes ago

• Business Standard

Amit Shah a disgrace to the post once held by Sardar Patel: Jairam Ramesh

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday launched a direct attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of failing to "bring the terrorists who carried out the brutal terror attacks in Pahalgam to justice," and restoring peace in Manipur. "Amit Shah is a disgrace to the position once held by the indomitable Sardar," claimed Ramesh. "The Union Home Minister has failed singularly in bringing the terrorists who carried out the brutal terror attacks in Pahalgam to justice. These terrorists had reportedly also been involved in terror attacks at Poonch (Dec 2023) and at Gagangir and Gulmarg (Oct 2024)," his post said. "The Union Home Minister has failed miserably to restore even a semblance of peace and normalcy in Manipur. All that he has accomplished is to provide guaranteed employment to his son. Now the Union Home Minister makes the most ridiculous of statements. Millions of Indians each speak more Indian languages - in addition to English - than him. He is a disgrace to the position once held by the indomitable Sardar," said the post from Ramesh. Ramesh called the visit a "publicity-driven exercise" that fails to address the ground realities of the state. "The advertisement-loving Prime Minister is once again on a tour of matter how many fake announcements the Prime Minister makes, no matter how many ribbons he cuts for free advertising, the truth is that the double engine government in Bihar has completely failed to meet the expectations of the common people," his post read. "In Bihar, oppression against the deprived classes is at its peak, the law and order situation is extremely bad, criminals have become unbridled and the common citizens are helpless. Every day there are reports of murder, robbery and violence against youth do not have any employment in the state and they are forced to migrate from Bihar," he said. "During this visit, the Prime Minister will also express his electoral concern about the pollution of Mother Ganga .But the truth is that in the last 11 years, 'Ganga cleansing' has become just an election slogan, which is suddenly remembered before every election. Not only in Bihar, Mother Ganga has become more polluted than before in the entire country. Most of the schemes launched in the name of Ganga cleanliness campaign have proved to be a black hole of corruption-After the foundation stone laying, inauguration and heavy publicity, neither any work is visible nor any concrete National Green Tribunal (NGT) itself is exposing the terrible condition of Ganga pollution in Patna and Bihar," added Ramesh.

Hindustan Times

21 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

15% minority housing quota not new, says Karnataka minister

Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan on Friday defended the state cabinet's decision to increase reservation for minorities in housing schemes from 10 to 15%, saying the move is based on a recommendation made in 2019 and is not a recent or arbitrary decision. Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said the move is based on a recommendation made in 2019 and is not a recent or arbitrary decision (File photo) 'Decision to reserve 15% for minorities in housing schemes is not a decision taken now. The cabinet subcommittee formed in 2019 when HD Kumaraswamy was the chief minister in the coalition government had recommended it,' Khan said, responding to growing criticism from the opposition. He further clarified that the reservation percentage mirrors existing central policy. 'The central government already provides a 15% quota for minorities under housing schemes, as per the Sachar Committee report. There was a demand that the same should be given in the state. Therefore, the central model has been followed,' he said. The state cabinet approved the hike on Thursday, applying it to all housing schemes under the Urban and Rural Development Departments. The announcement sparked a sharp backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which labelled the decision 'unconstitutional' and accused the ruling Congress of communal appeasement and vote-bank politics. Khan defended the move on humanitarian grounds, pointing to the acute housing shortage faced by many minority families. 'The existing 10% reservation rate has been increased to 15. There are more poor families in the minority community and the number of homeless people has increased. Hence, there was a demand to increase the reservation rate,' he explained. He also cited a 2021 recommendation from the National Commission for Minorities, which had called for the implementation of a 15% reservation in housing schemes. 'Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate,' Khan added. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said his government's decision to enhance reservation for minorities under housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15% was in line with the Union government's guidelines. He termed the BJP's criticism of it as 'hypocritical and politically motivated', and asserted that his government rejects the politics of hatred and division being pushed by the opposition party. In a statement, he said this is based on the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (2019), which clearly directs all Central and State implementing agencies to earmark 15%of physical and financial targets for minorities wherever possible. Reacting to it, senior BJP leader and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of creating social divisions. 'This government is unnecessarily creating problems... But there is a limit to everything. So if they want to increase it, they should do it for everyone and all communities. This is not correct; that is why everyone is opposing it,' he said. State BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa echoed his father's concerns, taking to social media to term the move a form of religious favouritism. 'Reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional! @INCKarnataka in Karnataka has converted welfare into a marketplace for vote-bank politics. First, 4% quota in government contracts. Now, 15 per cent quota in housing schemes. Where does this appeasement end?' he wrote on X. He argued that the decision risks marginalising Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes by reducing their share of benefits. 'This is a dangerous attempt to institutionalise communal vote-bank politics. It not only robs SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities, but also sends a disturbing message that merit, backwardness, and constitutional principles are secondary to religious appeasement,' Vijayendra posted. With PTI inputs

Hindustan Times

37 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

BJP govt conspiring against minority institutions: Akhilesh

Lashing out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that it was conspiring to dismantle all minority institutions and target both Muslims and Christian organisations. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also alleged corruption in government departments. (HT FIle) Addressing a press conference at the SP headquarters in Lucknow on Friday, Akhilesh said: 'The BJP follows the British policy of divide and rule. Madrasas are being shut down, land records are being scrutinised, and bulldozers are being used on madrasa properties. The BJP is not just targeting Muslims, but is now trying to enter Christian institutions too. Lakhs of posts are vacant across departments, including two lakh in the education department. Yet the government boasts of a trillion-dollar economy and a developed India. Does this happen in a developed country?' On the inauguration of Gorakhpur Link Expressway by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, Akhilesh said, 'The trillion-dollar budget is not being spent on education, health and welfare for the poor, but on the highway of loot.' 'The 91-kilometre expressway has been built at a cost of more than ₹ 7,000 crore. It is not an expressway, but a four-lane highway. If you want to know the difference, pick up a book and see what the Indian Road Congress (IRC) says. Is this expressway built as per IRC standards? Will the government take action against those who flouted the norms?' asked Akhilesh. On the recent issue of alleged anomalies in transfers, Akhilesh said, 'There is a dispute as officers and ministers want to work as per their own free will. A deputy CM has complained that the officer of his department did not show him the list of transfers.' The SP chief alleged corruption in departments such as education, PWD, and urban development. 'There is a fixed rate for transfers. Despite Smart City funds from both Delhi and Lucknow, cities like Mathura, Agra and Unnao are struggling with clogged drains. The level of corruption in U.P. today is unprecedented,' he alleged. Akhilesh further alleged that the BJP was against PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) and reservation. 'The rules of reservation are not being followed in recruitments. We all have to come together and protect reservation and the Constitution given by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. PDA is our emotional slogan and it connects people,' the SP chief said.