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“Every state government has the resources to stop such protests”

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9 years ago

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“Every state government has the resources to stop such protests”

Mudda looks for a solution after fringe groups go on rampage in six states opposing Padmaavat release, decides that authorities are to blame as they have chosen to play silent witness

Protestors all over India went on a rampage following the release of the film, Padmaavat. Though the Supreme Court struck down the ban imposed by four states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana) on the film’s release, it was still not screened in any of the multiplexes there. Vandalism and violence were reported in Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Members of fringe groups also attacked a school bus in Gurugram on Wednesday.

Thursday’s edition of the Mudda, APN’s daily current affairs show discussed the issue. Moderated by Akshay Tripathi, the guests were Justice AN Mittal, former chief justice of Allahabad High Court, Supreme Court advocate JP Dhanda, CPI leader Ameer Haider Zaidi, BJP spokesperson Ashok Thakur, Congress spokesperson Onkar Nath Singh, film director Vandana Kohli, Kshatriya Mahasahba President Pradeep Singh Babboo, Karni Sena spokesperson Vijender Singh and consulting editor of APN Govind Pant Raju.

Vijender Singh said the video of the mobs attacking a school bus in Gurugram is a fake video. He said: “Media is circulating false news and tarnishing the image of the Karni Sena. Please verify the authenticity of the video. The Rajputs are not involved in this incident. They can never do such thing.”

Ameer Haider Zaidi alleged that the video of the school bus attack is a video from Afghanistan. He added: “Neither the state government or the Central government knows anything about the video. Secondly what actions can we take against the governments that are going against the Supreme Court’s order. States not being able to maintain law and order proves the failure of the state governments. I think some fringe groups who are related to terrorist groups are behind the violence. And, by going forward with the release of the film, Bhansali has given them a reason to do so.”

Ashok Thakur also blamed the media for circulating false news that is sullying the good image of the BJP. He said the BJP is with the SC.

Onkar Nath Singh asked why Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is silent on the whole issue. He said: “After a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court stating that the Rajputs werebeing misrepresented in the movie, it had asked film critics and journalists to see the movie and file a detailed report. Seeing the report, the apex court had told the director to continue shooting. There is some rule of law. I am a Rajput (Kshatriya) too and I am ashamed to be so. I condemn the attack on the school bus.”

Pradeep Singh Babboo however condemned the attack and said if any Rajput was involved in it, it is shameful for our community. But if they are protesting peacefully, the Supreme Court should not interfere in it, he added.

Justice AN Mittal said: “I think this protests are sponsored. They are taking the cover of the Karni Sena to achieve some ill. I want to ask these protestors why they have never protested when women, Brahmins or Vaishyas etc were shown in a degrading manner in films. There are reasonable restrictions too in a film director’s freedom but these protests are just baseless.”

Vandana Kohli said the people who are protesting have no idea what has been shown in the movie. She said: “After the screening everybody said there has been no misrepresentation of the Rajputs. The ‘aan, baan, shaan’ (pride) of the Rajputs have been aptly portrayed. I don’t understand why they are protesting. After the name was changed to Padmaavat, it has been made clear that the movie is based on an epic. As a law abiding citizen I think what is happening is wrong.”

JP Dhanda blamed the state governments for failing to maintain law and order. He said: “Every state government has the power and resources to stop such protests. They are choosing to be silent. The government should deal with it with a heavy hand and should not let it escalate. The story of queen Padmavati has been shown in good light. I request the Karni Sena to take the film in a happy spirit.”

Govind Pant Raju quoted reports that stated that no misrepresentation of the Rajputs have been done in the movie. He strongly criticised the BJP spokesperson for calling the public responsible for such vandalism.

-Compiled by Usha Rani Das

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

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3 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

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Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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