Itishree Misra (BOMBAY TIMES; March 22, 2020)

Kanika Kapoor, who is the first Indian celebrity to test positive for the novel Coronavirus, has been getting a lot of flak for allegedly not disclosing her symptoms and attending social gatherings instead of being in self-quarantine. However, the singer says that these speculations are not true. “I want to tell people that I’m not the irresponsible person I’m being made to look like,” Kanika told us on Friday, from the Isolation Corona Ward at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow.

‘HOW CAN I SKIP SCREENING AT IMMIGRATION?’
The singer said that she reached India late night on March 9 and was duly screened at the Mumbai airport for symptoms. “There are these silly rumours that I hid in the washroom to skip screening. Tell me, how is it possible for a person to skip screening at immigration? I was properly screened at the Mumbai airport and I stayed in the city for a day. But since everything was closed and no work was happening (because of the industry lockdown due to the coronavirus spread), my parents suggested I come home. So I reached Lucknow on March 11 by the morning flight. At that time there was no advisory issued by the government on anyone travelling from abroad to be under self-quarantine. So, how can one expect me to do it, especially when I had been screened and had no health issues till I left Mumbai? In fact, I developed the symptoms only four days ago,” Kanika explained.

She accepted that she did attend social gatherings and meet people, but until then, she wasn’t aware she may be infected with the virus. “I came to Lucknow and I met people. In fact, I’ve told the health department I’ll give them a list of all the people I’ve been in contact with. Apart from those I met in the last few days, I’m also concerned about my nani, who’s 98, and lives in Kanpur. She really wanted to meet me, so I went to Kanpur for a day to be with her.”

Kanika refuted rumours of her having hosted a party in Lucknow, calling them false news. She told us, “I never hosted a party. I attended a small birthday bash which Vasundhara Raje ji has also tweeted about. There were several politicians there, including Dushyant Singh, but it wasn’t as big a gathering as it is being made out. It was a small one where I was a guest, not the hostess. For this, too, I’ve given the health officials names of all those who were at the party.”

‘I WAS THE ONE PESTERING AUTHORITIES TO TEST ME’
Kanika further added that she was the one who insisted that health officials in Lucknow take her samples for checking. “I called my friend, who heads a local hospital to, get my blood samples checked for the virus. He suggested that I approach the state health authorities for it. When I called the helpline numbers, after hearing out my symptoms, they said it doesn’t seem like the Coronavirus, and it might just be the seasonal flu. But I kept insisting, and it was only after I pestered them that the CMO sent people to take my samples. I was the one who pestered the authorities, who I felt were taking things lightly. It took them three days to send someone to collect my sample and test it. From Monday till the time I was tested, I had confined myself to my room. The moment I felt sick, I called up the authorities. So tell me, who’s been lax?”

‘THEY ARE BEHAVING AS IF I AM A CRIMINAL’
Having been admitted to SGPGIMS, Kanika claimed the treatment meted out to her was appaling. “I’ve been here since 11am and all I’ve been given is a small bottle of water to drink. I’ve been asking these people to give me something to eat but I’ve only been given two small bananas and an orange. I am so hungry, I haven’t even taken the medicine that I was supposed to till now. I have fever, I’ve informed them, but no one has attended to me. The food I brought with me has been taken away. I can’t even eat anything that’s given to me as I am allergic to certain foods. I am hungry, thirsty and I feel miserable here,” Kanika told us from her isolation room on Friday evening. She added, “When I asked the doctor attending to me to have the room cleaned, he said it was not a five-star hotel. He said that the authorities are going to file an FIR against me for withholding information and not disclosing my illness. These are the kind of threats being given to me.”

Kanika alleged that she had only been given a paper blanket to keep herself warm and the room she’s staying in was quite dirty. She said, “It has mosquitoes and is full of dust. I am being ill-treated here and it feels like I’m in jail. They are behaving as if I am a criminal for no fault of mine.”

Mohua Chatterjee & Shailvee Sharda  | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 21, 2020)

New Delhi/Lucknow: An FIR was lodged on Friday night against Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor—who tested positive for Covid-19—for not following protocol of “self-quarantine” after returning from abroad as the coronavirus scare reached Parliament and even Rashtrapati Bhavan.

BJP MP Dushyant Singh and his mother, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, went into “self-quarantine” for having attended a party in Lucknow last Sunday where Kanika was present.

The singer came to Lucknow on March 11 after arriving in Mumbai from London two days earlier.

The political class went into a tizzy after Raje tweeted on Friday that she and Dushyant had been to the party in Lucknow where Kapoor was also a guest. Dushyant has been attending the House, spending time in central hall. He had also attended a breakfast meeting hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind, who has cancelled his appointments for the next few days.

Singer charged for negligence and spreading disease
In the FIR, the singer has been charged with “negligently doing an act likely to spread infection; malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, and disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant”, said assistant commissioner of police, Krishnanagar (Lucknow), Deepak Kumar Singh.

The meeting with Kovind on Tuesday was for MPs from Rajasthan and UP and a photo released by Rashtrapati Bhavan showed Dushyant greeting the President and standing next to other MPs.

Attendance has been high in Parliament and the central hall has also been fairly crowded with MPs and journalists.

Dushyant also attended two other private gatherings with friends in Delhi over the last three days since his return from Lucknow.

Raje tweeted on Friday to say, “While in Lucknow, I attended a dinner with my son Dushyant and his in-laws. Kanika Kapoor, who has unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19, was also a guest. As a matter of abundant caution, my son and I have immediately self-quarantined and we’re taking all necessary precautions.” Kapoor was among four persons who tested positive for Covid-19 in Lucknow on Friday, triggering concern among the political class.

Some MPs who spent any time in proximity with Dushyant have also gone in for self-quarantine, while others are anxiously checking on whether they were near him. The results of his seclusion may well be keenly awaited. TMC MP Derek O’Brien went into self-quarantine, as he had spent a good two and half hours next to Dushyant at a parliamentary standing committee meeting. RS MP and renowned dancer Sonal Mansingh was also at the meeting. O’Brien tweeted the government was putting everyone at risk and the session should be curtailed.
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Kanika Kapoor, who returned to Lucknow from the UK on March 9, allegedly hid her travel history, attended several parties from March 13- 18 before she tested positive for COVID-19
Radhika Ramaseshan (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2020)

Singer Kanika Kapoor, known for songs such as ‘Baby Doll’ and Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan’, shared on social media on Friday that she had tested positive for COVID-19. Her post prompted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath order the sanitisation of Lucknow, Noida and Kanpur, and sparked a scare among politicians and others who were at various parties she attended from March 13 to 18. Kapoor, who returned to India from the UK on March 9, was admitted to King George Medical University hospital in Lucknow on March 19 after she complained of flu-like symptoms.

After she posted that she had tested positive, a host of celebrities and politicians went into self-quarantine. They included Vasundhara Raje and her son and MP Dushyant Singh, Jitin Prasada, Akbar Ahmad Dumpy, UP health minister Jai Pratap Singh, the state’s Lokayukta Sanjay Mishra, and various MPs who came into contact with Dushyant Singh in Parliament. Her revelation also prompted a clamour from lawmakers to have Parliament adjourned sine die, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted that the House function until April 3.

After landing in Lucknow on March 9, Kapoor first went to her parents’ home at Shalimar Gallant Apartments in Mahanagar. She is said to have not informed authorities about her travel history and also hosted a gathering for her friends and family. It is unclear if she was scanned rigorously at the airport but she claimed her symptoms only manifest after “four or five” days. What is known is that she had a series of signing assignments lined up at parties hosted by the city’s elite over the next few days. She checked into the Taj on March 14 and checked out two days later. Those who had hired her services included interior designer Adil Ahmad, a cousin of Dumpy; Adesh Seth, Prasada’s father-in-law; and Mishra, a former judge of the Allahabad High Court who heads the UP Lokayukta. Sources in Lucknow said that in between these events, she regaled guests at “smaller” parties and an event in Kanpur organised by Vipul Tandon, a relative.

Kapoor wrote in her post on social media, “For the past four days I have had signs of flu... My family and I are in complete quarantine now and following medical advice on how to move forward. Contact mapping of people I have been in touch with is underway as well.” Her father, Rajiv Kapoor, told a news channel that his daughter had come into contact with “350 to 400 people”.

Vasundhara Raje and Dushyant Singh were at the party Adil Ahmad at his family’s ancestral mansion in Dalibagh. Vasundhara’s association with Dumpy goes back a long way, while Adil Ahmad had spruced up her inherited property in Delhi. The guests were UP’s “rajwadas”, who live off the principalities they ruled over but retain their clout through political connections. One of them was Jai Pratap Singh, health minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. On March 19, unaware that he had mingled with a coronavirus transmitter, he spoke about the measures his ministry had taken to contain the spread of the virus at a press conference in Noida. Singh is now in seclusion, leaving the health administration to a junior minister a critical juncture.

Dushyant Singh and wife Niharika were accompanied by Ranjit Singh Judeo of the erstwhile Samthar family of Bundelkhand, which was traditionally close to the Nehru-Gandhis. Niharika, who is a Gujjar, helped Vasundhara Raje negotiate her troubles with Rajasthan’s Gujjars when she was chief minister.

Dushyant Singh was present in Parliament until Thursday. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien tweeted in anguish, “Am in self-isolation and following all protocol as I was sitting right next to Dushyant for two hours at a #Parliament meeting on March 18.”

As the Jhalawar-Baran MP’s extended presence rocked Parliament on Friday, Vasundhara Raje surfaced on Twitter to write, “As a matter of abundant caution, my son and I have immediately self-quarantined”, prompting a BJP MP to remark, “Is she doing any of us a favour?”

Jitin Prasada’s father-in-law Adesh threw a bash at the Taj for his brother’s grandson, at which the Seth and Prasada clans was present. Adesh is a former captain of the prestigious Lucknow Golf Club and the attendees included many of his golfing associates.

Kapoor’s last performance before she tested positive was at a party that Sanjay Mishra threw for his fellow alumni from Gwalior’s Scindia School. It was held at Gulistan Colony, where his official home is located. 

MID-DAY (January 9, 2018)

Recent reports stating that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavat (earlier titled Padmavati) will hit theatres on January 25 have led to renewed agitation around the movie. Despite the Censor Board clearing the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor starrer for release with some modifications — including the title change — Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria declared last evening that the state won’t lift its ban on the period drama.

“Queen Padmini’s sacrifice is deeply linked to the state’s glory and honour, she is not just a figure in history for us but a symbol of our pride. We will not let her dignity be tarnished at any cost,” read a statement issued by Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s office.

Rajasthan was one of the many states, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, that had banned the drama in November last year.

Rajput Karni Sena, which has been protesting against the movie’s release, has threatened to vandalise theatres that screen it.

Sources say filmmaker to meet chief ministers of five states that have banned Padmavati, address their concerns to ensure film’s release
MID-DAY (December 2, 2017)

After appearing before the parliamentary standing committee on Thursday, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has now set out to extend an olive branch to many others who have opposed the release of Padmavati without having seen the film. We hear the director will be meeting the chief ministers or state representatives of the five states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat — that have banned the Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer.

A source reveals, “Since the alleged romantic sequence between Rani Padmini and Alauddin Khilji was the bone of contention, Bhansali reiterated before the parliamentary panel that his film doesn’t have any such scene. Now, he wants to know why certain states have banned the film and how they can come to a common ground. The meetings will take place over the next week.”

The source adds that his meeting with Rajasthan’s chief minister Vasundhara Raje is being worked out. “Bhansali might discuss the film in detail with her and personally assure her that it doesn’t hurt Rajput sentiments. The film will carry a disclaimer about it being a work of fiction, based on Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s poem Padmavat.”

Meanwhile, sources at Censor Board say that the film will be viewed by the examining committee on December 20, after Bhansali has met the CMs. The magnum opus was rejected by the CBFC on November 17 after the application form was found incomplete, post which the makers promptly reapplied for certification. “The makers hope to get the censor certificate by end of this month. The production house is eyeing a release sometime between January 15 and February 15, depending on what the trade pundits suggest.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (November 22, 2017)

A day after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje , among others, called for a ban on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati for "distorting history", former chairman of the Central Board of Film Certifi cation (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani has pointed out that a fi lm can't be banned in a state before receiving a censor certifi cate.

"A state can impose a ban only if it is deemed that the movie may disrupt law and order situation in the state, and only after film certification. A certificate is yet to be issued to Padmavati," Nihalani was quoted as saying. "Unless certificate is not issued, no state can make 'jumlas' like 'we'll cut it' or 'we'll not let it release'. Furthermore, the producer of the film can approach the court, if the scenes do get cut." Prasoon Joshi, the current CBFC chairperson, had earlier said that the board will arrive at a decision after a discussion, but Nihalani downplayed it, saying that a chairman cannot decide the fate of a movie.

"The examination committee decides after watching the movie; the chairman cannot decide. Unless the censor board pronounces its decision, opinion of everyone else is of no value," he added.

Shivraj Declares Ban In MP, Didi Supports Film
THE TIMES OF INDIA (November 21, 2017)

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday became the first Congress CM to oppose Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ even as his BJP counterpart in Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared that he would not allow the controversial film to be screened in his state.

However, ‘Padmavati’ received backing from Congress-ruled Karnataka and Trinamool-ruled West Bengal, with the former even assuring security to Deepika’s family. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said: “These sort of threats, especially towards women, are yet another sign of growing intolerance and bigotry in the country. I condemn the culture of intolerance and hate perpetuated by BJP.”

But the Punjab CM said cinematic licence could not be used to distort historical facts.

Didi condemns ‘super emergency’
With Amarinder and Shivraj joining anti-‘Padmavati’ bandwagon, a total of four state governments have opposed the film so far. BJP-ruled Rajasthan and UP governments have already opposed the film’s release in its current form. Amarinder Singh, the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Patiala whose family members are also married to other royal families in the country, chose to sing a tune different from the Karnataka CM. “I have myself studied history and even been to Chittor. Cinematic licence does not give anyone the right to twist historical facts. Those feeling hurt by distortion of facts had the right to protest. The protests were a justified recourse in a democratic system,” he said.

Hailing Maharani Padmavati as ‘rashtramata’ (mother of the nation), Chouhan said a memorial would be established in Bhopal to display her ‘valor and sacrifice’.

“People working for the betterment of women will be conferred with #Rashtrmata-PadmavatiPuraskar,” said a tweet from the twitter handle CMO Madhya Pradesh, which was re-tweeted by Chouhan.

Chouhan, who met a delegation of Rajputs, said he would not allow the release of Bhansali’s magnum opus in Madhya Pradesh. “An Indian woman can turn herself into ashes to protect her honour. And a film on a character which is worshipped by people should not be distorted. If the character is fictional then there is no resistance, but if facts get mutated, it will not be tolerated,” he said.

The CM, who faces elections in the state and cannot afford to upset Rajputs who number around one crore, insisted that “corrections” in the film will have to be made as per public demand as Bhansali is not “dealing with a fictional character”.

“The film includes distorted historical facts. Rani Padmavati is the reflection of Indian women. For her pride and honour, Rani Padmavati performed ‘jauhar’ (immolation) and made the ultimate sacrifice. A film that distorts historical facts will never be tolerated,” said Chouhan.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said the ‘Padmavati’ controversy was a “calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. We condemn this super emergency”.

Meanwhile, two days after Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje wrote to Union I&B minister Smriti Irani not to screen ‘Padmavati’ without changes, her government sought legal opinion whether a film can be banned before it is cleared by the CBFC.

“Since many people are protesting against the film and demanding a ban on the film, I sat for a review of law and order situation with senior officers of my department. I suggested to find out if in a legal framework we can ban a film before it is cleared by the CBFC,” said home minister Gulab Chand Kataria.

The anti-Padmavati brigade also received support from National Conference (NC) MLA Devender Rana on Monday.

He wrote to J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti demanding a ban on the film in the state whenever it is cleared by the CBFC.

Times View: The ‘compromise’ reached on the ‘Padmavati’ issue is one that has really been forced on the filmmakers by the circumstances they find themselves in. With several chief ministers showing little inclination to back their right to artistic expression or to enforce the law against those handing out threats to them, they have obviously decided that it is better to be safe than sorry. It is a shame that matters have come to this pass. Indeed, it is becoming a depressingly common phenomenon — some group raises a shindig over a book or film and makes belligerent statements threatening violence, the state refuses to take a tough stand against such elements, and the artist decides to back off while the those making the threats continue to roam free, further emboldened by the course of events. It is time governments showed some spine and respect for democratic values. Prompt and severe action against those threatening violence is the only thing that can give artists the confidence to unleash their creativity.

Deems interference in the film, which is yet to get censor nod as 'premature'
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 21, 2017)

The raging controversy around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period-drama, Padmavati, took a fresh turn on Monday when the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking deletion of certain alleged objectionable scenes from the film, terming it as premature.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was informed that the film has not yet received the certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "Our interference in this writ petition will tantamount to pre-judging, which we are not inclined to do," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

Advocate M L Sharma, who had filed the petition seeking a direction for removal of all scenes of alleged 'character assassination' of Queen Padmavati from the movie before its release, argued that though the Censor Board has not given a certificate to the movie, the songs of the film have already been released.

Viacom 18, the makers of the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor-starrer, had released a statement on Sunday, saying that they have deferred the movie's release which was originally scheduled on December 1. —Agencies

'No screening till objectionable scenes removed'

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was quoted as saying on Monday that Padmavati would not be allowed to release in the state unless the objectionable scenes were removed.

"We have been reading about the queen's sacrifice from childhood. Distortion of history will not be tolerated. Unless the objectionable scenes are removed, I will not let the film to be released across the state," he addressed a gathering after a meeting with representatives of the Rajput community. He also announced that a memorial would be built in Queen Padmavati's memory.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also joined the anti-Padmavati protests, contending that the Karni Sena's stand is justified. "Nobody will accept distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so," Singh reportedly said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also warned the centre of possible law and order problems if the movie is released.

In Rajasthan, the epicentre of the protests headed by the Karni Sena, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has written to the union government asking that the movie not be allowed to screen till scenes that have offended Rajput and other groups are deleted.

Meanwhile, the nationwide clamour has also reached Jammu and Kashmir with National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana writing to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, asking her not to allow the film's release in the state till its contents are verified.

Swimming against the tide is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has lashed out at the protesters. "The Padmavati controversy is not only unfortunate but also a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. We condemn this super emergency. All in the film industry must come together and protest in one voice," Banerjee said in a statement on Monday.

Amidst threats and protests from the Karni Sena and other fringe groups, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone have both been given security by the government. —Agencies

MEANWHILE...CBFC TURNS DOWN MAKERS' REQUEST FOR 'QUICK REVIEW'

According to reports, the censor board has turned down the Padmavati makers' request to quickly review and certify the film.

Last week, the censor board had reportedly returned the review application to the film's makers citing "technical issues" after protests erupted over the film allegedly distorting facts. It was scheduled to release on December 1.

When asked about the row on the sidelines of an event, CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi said, "We are trying to follow due process. We should sort out the issue through dialogue, not through arguments."

THE TIMES OF INDIA (November 19, 2017)

Jaipur: As protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ gain momentum, Vasundhara Raje on Saturday became the first chief minister to come out openly against the film, writing to information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani asking that the movie not be released without the changes demanded by the “aggrieved community” being made.

The Rajput community has been demanding that the film be banned, claiming that it is a distortion of history and portrays Rani Padmini in poor light. Sri Rajput Karni Sena, which has been spearheading protests against the film, has warned that it will not allow its release. SRKS chief Mahipal Singh Makrana even threatened to maim actor Deepika Padukone, if she “continues to provoke protesters”.

Several BJP functionaries, including Union highways minister Nitin Gadkari, have expressed reservations about ‘Padmavati’.

Raje seeks expert panel to review film

However, Raje is the first CM to back the Rajput community in its demands on ‘Padmavati’. In her letter to Smriti Irani, she said that it should be ensured that the film does not hurt the sentiments of the Rajput community.

A statement released by the chief minister’s office said Raje had told the I&B minister that the censor board should consider all possible consequences before giving a certificate to the film. “She has suggested constituting a committee, which includes expert historians, film personalities and representatives from the (Rajput) community. She said it should sit and discuss the screenplay of the film. Thereafter, suitable changes should be made to ensure that the film does not hurt the sentiments of society as a whole,” the CMO statement said.

Raje has said that while filmmakers do have the right to make a film as per their wisdom, the Constitution also has provisions to curb a right if it poses a threat to the law and order situation or hurts the morality or public sentiments of a community. “Hence, there is a need to review the film,” the CMO statement quoted the Rajasthan CM as having said.

While most of her ministers have already spoken in favour of reviewing the film before it is released, this is the first time that the Rajasthan CM has taken a stand over the controversy. A delegation from Mewar, which met the chief minister on Saturday, thanked her for the gesture.

The inevitable has happened, sooner than I thought. A filmmaker has been assaulted on the sets of his own film by a terrorist group on flimsy grounds and the government authorities are silent. And it’s not surprising anymore.

For those who came in late, acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was slapped on the sets of his film Padmavati in Jaipur yesterday (January 27) by members of what can be called a terrorist organization, Sri Rajput Karni Sena. Their grouse is that Bhansali is distorting history. The movie is based on Alauddin Khilji’s obsession for Padmavati, which ultimately lead to the latter taking up her own life. SLB was shooting a dream sequence and probably it showed Alauddin romancing Padmavati. The terrorist organization members got a whiff of such a sequence being filmed and they vandalized and ultimately attacked the filmmaker. A mass murderer should not be glorified is what they feel. And let me clarify here that these terrorists haven’t read the script at all so they are not wholly sure how exactly is the film going to present Khilji. But then, fringe elements in our country have rarely worked as per logic and common sense.

As always, the members of Bollywood fraternity came out on Twitter to express their outrage after attack. As expected, the cops held 4-5 protestors, who must be the junior most ‘employees’ of the said organization and hence their arrests mean nothing. The head of the organization who gave the go-ahead of the attack is relaxing and even held a press conference where he justified the attack.

I am no longer surprised that Lokendra Kalvi, the founder of this organization, is not arrested. The arrested goons too would be let off when things cool down. This has always been the case. Our filmmakers have been threatened in the past and theatres vandalized as they were showing films, that hurt the sentiments of publicity-seeking organizations. Never in such cases have been the mastermind jailed when the fact is that all such activities are illegal. A recent example is of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil controversy when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members threatened director Karan Johar since the film featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The members even forcibly entered a premium Mumbai multiplex, Metro INOX (then Metro BIG Cinemas) and raised slogans. Ameya Khopkar, the head of MNS Cine Wing kept threatening Karan openly. Finally, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened but no, he didn’t put Ameya or MNS head Raj Thackeray behind bars. He brokered peace between them and KJo had to agree to donate Rs 5 crore for our soldiers!

Earlier, filmmakers were simply threatened, their effigies burned and as aforementioned, cinema hall showing the objectionable film was vandalized. (Yes, there was a rare instance of a Hansal Mehta being badly humiliated and physically attacked for a so-called controversial line about Kolis in Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar. But he was not a prominent filmmaker then). But these fringe elements have now gone one step forward. They have started slapping highly respected filmmakers. Tomorrow, they’ll break their bones and one day, they’ll start assassinating too. And as always, the government will stay silent while the industry will keep expressing anger on social media but never come united in the real world and pressurize the authorities to take stern steps. This is the new normal of our times and it’s high time we get used to it.

Till now, the government of Rajasthan has not given any official explanation as to what action they are going to take against Sri Rajput Karni Sena. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has been silent and she did tweet today, about freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai’s birth anniversary, but nothing about the attack. As I have said, nothing surprises me anymore. This has been happening over the years. During Congress rule, Shiv Sena thwarted the release of My Name Is Khan on its first day at many places in Mumbai. Even the Hansal Mehta incident happened during the same regime. Governments change but the scenario doesn’t. Fringe elements run riot while creative people have to always fear, not knowing who might get offended with their piece of work. But nothing could be done. Let’s learn to adjust with it and move on!

Shatrughan Sinha holds forth on the crises within the BJP
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 7, 2015)


While BJP’s prominent leaders are embroiled in unsavoury controversies, you are uncharacteristically quiet about the corruption charges against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje?
Yes, people are wondering why the one who has always commanded others to remain khamosh is khamosh himself today. There seems to be some sort of a dark cloud passing over the party. Whether our party is in a crisis or a Catch-22 situation, only time will tell. Nazar lag gayi hai hamare party ko. The thirteenth month of our party in power hasn’t proved lucky for us. Even my dear friend Hema Malini was involved in a road accident.

She too seems to have offended some by not helping the child who died?
Tell me something. When such a terrible accident happens doesn’t the victim go in a daze? Hema may be the most beautiful woman in the world. But during a crisis of this gravity, she is a human being. She was so numbed by the impact of the accident she hardly knew what was happening. Those who are criticising her for the tragic death of the child in the accident don’t know what a beautiful soul she is. If her mind was working at that traumatic time, she would’ve done everything within her power to help the child.

Coming back to the other beleaguered ladies in your party, what do you think went wrong ?
I had decided not to say anything as this involves a dear friend Mrs Sushma Swaraj. But if you insist, all I’d like to say is those accused of wrongdoing must prove their innocence immediately.

Shouldn’t Mrs Swaraj and Mrs Raje resign before they prove their innocence?
That’s what I’d have done. My mentor, guide, friend and philosopher within the party is L K Advani. That’s what he did when false allegations were levelled at him. He not only resigned he vowed not to enter Parliament until he got a clean chit. I’ve learnt from Mr Advani that though honesty and transparency seldom go together, they must do so.

Are you a BJP or an L K Advani loyalist?
As long as he has been with me I’ve never bothered with how the High Command has treated me. I didn’t even react when I was provoked as to why I was never given a cabinet rank. Miley na miley sab theek hai. This is what I’ve learnt from Mr Advani. He’s always taught me to set a good example, to be a role model and not to follow the example of others Being a role model isn’t easy.

Are you saying the accused should step down?
That’s what had happened with Lal Bahadur Shastri as well. Having said that, I want to reiterate I am a loyal and supportive soldier of the party. I am dismayed by the allegations, especially against Sushma Swaraj who I consider a very dear friend. I hold both Sushma and her husband in very high regard. They are both mature, sharp individuals. I don’t know whether the allegations are substantiated or not. My speaking about it would not be proper. Speaking on an emotional level, this is a matter pertaining to office of profit. On a professional level, it involves a conflict of interest.

If your friend Mrs Swaraj is innocent, why is she not coming forward with evidence of her innocence?
One does wonder sometimes. If her conscience is clear, it’s high time she came out boldly and beautifully with the truth.

Has the high command consulted you on the crisis?
That’s the problem. No, I’ve not been consulted. Forget about high command, I wasn’t even invited to the function for the President of the BJP at Patna. And I’m supposed to be the Bihari Babu.

Fear of being overshadowed?
Maybe they feel they never gave me my due or recognition so they do not have the right to take my advice. I’ve no demand no command and no expectation. But I’d like to tell the high command to bring to the front of the party those party members who are close to the grassroots and those who have a clean image within and outside the party.

What do you have to say about Pahlaj Nihalani’s chairmanship of the Censor Board?
Finally, there’s a chairperson who is doing everything correctly. Look at how liberally the so-called progressive filmmakers used cusswords in our films. If he’s cleaning that out, he is doing our society a good turn. Look at the language of Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s Mohalla Assi being used by the Gods in the city of the Gods, Varanasi. Shame!

You’ve always stood by your friends in the BJP and the film industry. But do you have to say about women in your party being embroiled in controversies?
Finally, women have proved themselves equal to men, if not more equal.