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The Print
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Revoke Gaddar award for Razakar movie produced by BJP leader—civil rights body to Telangana govt
In a press conference Wednesday, the APCR sought the reassessment of the award selection process to ensure 'alignment with principles of historical accuracy and social unity'. It also sought a public statement from Revanth clarifying his government's position on endorsing a film, which 'distorts history and promotes communal disharmony through a state-backed award named after Gaddar'. The movie, 'Razakar: Silent Genocide of Hyderabad', is on the paramilitary wing Razakar which was active during the Nizam's rule in the erstwhile Hyderabad state. Hyderabad: The Telangana chapter of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to revoke the Gaddar award conferred on a movie produced by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gudur Narayan Reddy. Born as Gummadi Vithal Rao in 1949, Gaddar was a former Naxalite-turned-social activist who became associated with the Telangana statehood movement. The balladeer passed away in 2023. APCR members took exception to his name being associated with a movie produced by a BJP leader, and one which purportedly paints the Muslims in a negative light. 'This action is critical to restore the integrity of the Gaddar Awards, honour the secular and revolutionary legacy of Gaddar, and address the hurt caused to Telangana's secular communities which want to protect its Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb (read, syncretic ethos),' the APCR said, seeking revocation of the award, Last week, the Congress government-instituted Telangana Gaddar Film Awards gave the movie an award under the 'Environment/Heritage/History' category. It was given three awards—feature film on environment/heritage/ history; best makeup artist, and best music director. This, the APCR members said, is a 'profound insult to the legacy of legendary communist leader and balladeer Gaddar who dedicated his life to secular values and the upliftment of marginalised communities.' They said that the movie blatantly contradicts the Gaddar Awards, which was instituted to celebrate cinematic excellence and cultural integrity. 'The film presents a selective and distorted portrayal of history, reducing the complex Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-51) to a communal Hindu-Muslim narrative,' the APCR stated. Originally slated ahead of the 2023 Telangana polls, the movie was released before the 2024 general elections. BJP's Narayan Reddy was accused of creating communal disharmony by portraying the entire Muslim community as anti-Hindu. The Congress party, the association said, opposed the movie before its release due to the divisive content and now endorsed it through the state-backed award. '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.' Meanwhile, a senior functionary of the Telangana Congress Pradesh Committee (TPCC) said that such episode would only distance the minorities from the party. 'Many already take swipe at CM Revanth Reddy by calling him an RSS agent due to his ABVP days. This will only add to it,' he told ThePrint. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Congress in Telangana gave award to Razakar—a propaganda film that demonises Muslims
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From the Urdu Press: ‘BJP thrives on nationalism… faces litmus test over its MP minister', ‘Opp must back diplomatic strike on Pak'
The Urdu press hailed the Supreme Court order directing the Madhya Pradesh Police to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the FIR lodged against state minister Vijay Shah for his remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, observing that he had 'shamed the entire nation', and rejecting Shah's apology as 'only a pretence'. The Urdu dailies also lauded the Madhya Pradesh High Court's intervention taking the minister to task, and directing the BJP-led state government to register an FIR. The dailies also asked why the BJP had not taken any action against Shah so far. Referring to MP minister Vijay Shah's comments saying that India had targeted terrorists 'using unke samaj ki behen (a sister of their community)', alluding to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Hyderabad-based Siasat, in its May 15 editorial, says it is unfortunate that attempts are being made to divide communities on religious lines in a country like India which has always been an emblem of communal harmony. 'The poison of hate is being injected into body politic with several leaders of the ruling party at its forefront, who indulge in divisive remarks even on sensitive national issues,' it states. Shah's remarks on Qureshi — the face of the government's media briefings on Operation Sindoor, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri — are not only 'disparaging' but also 'disgraceful and cynical', the edit says. This is more disturbing since persons holding high public offices have the responsibility to foster communal amity and strengthen the Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb or pluralistic culture of our country, it says. The daily points out that in the wake of India's Operation Sindoor against terror emanating from Pakistan, the entire country has rallied round the armed forces. 'Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh have emerged as powerful symbols of women empowerment, bravery and leadership. In this atmosphere, Shah's bid to target Sofiya Qureshi is an outrage,' it says, noting that an FIR against Shah was filed only after the high court took suo motu cognisance and ordered the same. It was then that Shah apologised, says the daily. 'However, beyond an FIR or an apology, the real issue is about a bigoted mindset that finds an expression in such remarks,' the editorial notes. 'The BJP is a party that thrives on its nationalism plank. It must set an example by cracking down on such leaders. This is a key test for the BJP.' Highlighting the Narendra Modi government's move to constitute seven multi-party delegations as part of its efforts to rally global support for India's war against terror from Pakistan, the Mumbai-based Urdu Times, in its May 19 leader, says India's efforts had caused 'Pakistan to buckle… and seek a cessation of military action'. 'However, even after the ceasefire, Islamabad has been trying to spread misinformation against New Delhi at the international level.' The editorial states that the Modi government's announcement of the multi-party global outreach teams comes against this backdrop. These teams comprise leaders and MPs from both the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Opposition parties. 'This bipartisan diplomatic push is a prudent move by the government. It was necessary to expose Pakistan's deep nexus with terrorism before the world community,' the edit says, adding that the task of these teams is cut out. Referring to objections raised by some Opposition parties like the Congress that the government has not consulted them or ignored their suggestions while inducting their members into these delegations, the daily says notwithstanding their criticism, everyone must rally behind the government's diplomatic strike against Pakistan. Pointing to the Congress leadership's uneasy equations with high-profile party leader and four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Siasat, in its May 16 editorial, says the Congress has always struggled with leaders deviating from the party line on issues. 'This often lands the Congress in a spot while providing ammunition to its rivals, especially the BJP,' it says, adding that there are many such instances. Former Congress heavyweight Ghulam Nabi Azad was showered with praises by PM Modi when his term as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was coming to an end, the daily notes. 'Azad later started questioning the Congress and went on to quit the party while tearing into its leadership, which had not renominated him to the Upper House. Subsequently, he floated his own party (Democratic Progressive Azad Party) in Jammu and Kashmir, which however failed to take off,' the edit states. 'Now, the BJP seems to be using the same playbook to warm up to Shashi Tharoor. A renowned intellectual and ex-UN diplomat, Tharoor has insight into global affairs and seems to prefer his individual takes over the party's stand on a range of issues.' Referring to Tharoor's remarks endorsing the Modi government's position in the wake of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the editorial says this has caused a disquiet among the Congress brass, with some party leaders feeling that he crossed the 'Lakshman Rekha'. Addressing an event in Kerala earlier, PM Modi, in an oblique swipe at the Congress, suggested that Tharoor's presence at the event would 'disturb the sleep of some people', the edit notes. There could be a possibility, it says, that Tharoor might be trying to put pressure on the Congress leadership to secure a better deal in the Kerala party politics in the run-up to the Assembly polls slated for early 2026. 'Tharoor may be attempting to boost his prospects in the Kerala Congress politics. He is a chief ministerial aspirant. The Congress leadership needs to rise and deal with the situation.'
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Pahalgam attack a conspiracy to spread unrest in India'
Lucknow: An all religion meet on Monday condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed. "Terrorists have no religion and faith", said president of Lucknow Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (LGPC) Rajendra Singh Bagga while talking to reporters at UP Press Club after the meet. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We all stand united and demand the govt to take the strictest possible action against the perpetrators of this heinous act," said Bagga. Acting LGPC president Jaggi said that in order to maintain harmony and peace in the country, religious representatives of all religions should come together on one platform and strongly oppose terrorism. It is a well-planned conspiracy of Pakistan to spread unrest in India and destroy mutual brotherhood," he added. Imam of Eidgah, Lucknow, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said, "Islam does not allow terrorism and all the religions of the world preach peace and harmony. Islam insists that peace and harmony should be established. The way the terrorists killed people after asking their religion makes it clear that this is an evil conspiracy to attack Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb". Buddhist leader Gyan Lok Bhante said, "Non-violence is the ultimate religion and only through it peace can be achieved." "We should pray for the innocent people killed by terrorists in Pahalgam. God may grant them eternal peace and console the bereaved families," said Father L Robert, chief priest of Cathedral Church. RD Diwedi from Aashiana Parivar urged people to work with the govt to deal strictly with the terrorists."
