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Home Ministry assures states of assistance in case of trouble over Padmavati screening

Published

8 years ago

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Deepika-Padukone-Padmavati

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Narendra Modi government on Thursday came in support of screening of the movie Padmavati which has been facing protests and threats of violence if it is released from some Rajput groups.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday assured all the states that it would give “full consideration” to any request for assistance to handle any ongoing and potential public order issues because of the controversy surrounding the upcoming Bollywood movie ‘Padmavati’.

The MHA assurance came on the heels of Supreme Court upholding right to freedom of speech and expression while rejecting a plea to ban the movie ‘An Insignificant Man’ based on Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. The film will be screened in cinema halls on Friday as scheduled.

Rejecting the plea by Nachiketa Walhakar seeking to restrain the release of the film, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud said, courts should be extremely slow in passing restrain order as there can’t be curbs on the freedom of speech and expression.

The court said that filmmakers and writers should be allowed to enjoy freedom of speech and expression, and that all creative people have the right to enjoy their works in production of films and dramas.

The release of the film Padmavati, scheduled for December 1, was in doldrums as fringe groups like Karni Sena issued threats of violence, claiming it portrayed queen Padmini in a way they found inappropriate. The film is based on a based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a Hindu Rajput queen, mentioned in Padmavat, an Avadhi poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540. It has little factual, historical basis.

This, however, did not prevent sentiments of extra-sensitive sections from getting hurt.

As the problem persisted, the MHA on Thursday assured state governments of all necessary assistance if required on account of law and order problem over the issue. “The first responder in relation to ongoing and potential public order issues are the district administration and state police under the overall guidance of the state government,” an MHA spokesperson told news agency ANI. “Any request for assistance, as and when received, will receive the fullest consideration of the ministry,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Sri Rajput Karni Sena said that they would gather in lakhs and call for a nation-wide shutdown on December 1, the release date of the movie. In Jaipur, Shri Rajput Karni Sena founder and patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi said: “Ahinsa bahut zaruri hai, hinsa toh majboori hai. Jauhar ki jwala hai, bahut kucch jalega. Rok sako toh is Padmavati ko rok lo (Non-violence is important but violence is the last resort. This is the fire of Jauhar, a lot will burn. Stop this Padmavati if you can).”

Giving the call for a nationwide strike on December 1, Kalvi said the Karni Sena will take the support of like-minded individuals and organisations. “We are not talking of a Rajasthan bandh, but a Bharat bandh on December 1,” he said.

One of Karni Sena members had, openly on TV, reportedly announced a reward of Rs 5 crore to anyone who beheads Bhansali. Police have tightened security for the filmmaker.

A Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana said if need be, action will be taken against Deepika Padukone, the female lead in the movie, threatening to chop off her nose and ears.

Typically wishy-washy in taking a firm stand, the Congress had said that if there are any scenes in Padmavati that hurt sentiments, they need to be reviewed.

The MHA statement becomes particularly significant in view of the fact that, in its threats of violence and free rein in multiple states, the Rajput group has been backed by many BJP leaders in senior, responsible positions.

Rajasthan Higher and Technical Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari also joined the chorus of protests , asserting that she strongly opposes the film “made purely for making money and entertainment”.

The Rajasthan Women’s Commission has also written to the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure that the honour of women “is not adversely affected” in the movie.

On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and hardline BJP leader Yogi Adityanath said the release of Padmavati on December 1 will pose a “law and order problem” for his state. The UP government has sent a letter to the information and broadcasting ministry urging it to inform the censor board about the public sentiment against the film and defer its release.

Senior home department officials are of the view that the release would come as an additional burden on the police which will be hard-pressed to ensure free and fair civic polls and the counting of votes on December 1.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Padmavati’, starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, is slated for release on December 1.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Rahul Gandhi alleges institutional bias, questions electoral system during Berlin address

Rahul Gandhi alleged that India’s institutions and electoral system have been weaponised to favour the BJP, remarks that sparked a strong political response.

Published

44 mins ago

on

December 23, 2025

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has said that India’s institutional framework is facing a serious challenge and has been used to favour the ruling BJP. Speaking during an interaction at the Hertie School in Berlin, Gandhi questioned the functioning of key institutions and the electoral machinery, remarks that triggered a sharp political response from the BJP.

Gandhi said the Congress believes there is a problem with the electoral system and alleged that several institutions have been captured. Referring to investigative agencies, he claimed that bodies such as the CBI and the ED have been used as political tools. According to him, cases filed by these agencies overwhelmingly target those opposing the BJP, while leaders from the ruling party face none.

He also pointed to what he described as a stark financial imbalance between the BJP and the opposition, claiming a funding ratio of 30:1. Gandhi said this disparity reflects how institutions are being used to consolidate political power.

Opposition strategy and INDIA alliance

The Congress leader said merely pointing out problems in elections is not enough and stressed the need for the opposition to build a system of resistance that can effectively counter the ruling party. He added that the challenge now goes beyond electoral contests and is about presenting an alternative vision for the country.

On the INDIA alliance, Gandhi said the unity among opposition parties is rooted in their rejection of the ideological position of the RSS. While acknowledging that tactical contests between alliance partners will continue, he said they remain united when it comes to opposing laws they disagree with and working together in Parliament.

BJP hits back at remarks abroad

Gandhi’s comments delivered overseas drew a strong reaction from the BJP. Party president and Union minister JP Nadda accused him of speaking against India while Parliament is in session and claimed that he was undermining the country’s image at a time when the Prime Minister is receiving global recognition.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised Gandhi, alleging that he routinely travels abroad to defame India. He accused the Congress leader of making misleading claims about the country’s institutions and economic activity while praising China.

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India News

DU VC Prof Yogesh Singh entrusted with additional charge of AICTE Chairman

Published

18 hours ago

on

December 22, 2025

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Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, has been entrusted with the additional charge of the post of Chairman, AICTE till the appointment of a Chairman of AICTE or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

It is noteworthy that AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam was relieved of his duties after his term ended on December 20, 2025. According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, on Monday, Prof. Yogesh Singh’s appointment is until the appointment of a regular AICTE Chairman or until further orders whichever is earlier.

Prof. Yogesh Singh is a renowned academician with excellent administrative capabilities, who has been the Vice-Chancellor of University of Delhi since October 2021. He has also served as the Chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education. In August 2023, he was also given the additional charge of Director of the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA).

Prof. Yogesh Singh served as the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Technological University from 2015 to 2021; Director of Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi from 2014 to 2017, and before that, he was the Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda (Gujarat) from 2011 to 2014. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. He has a distinguished track record in quality teaching, innovation, and research in the field of software engineering.

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Goa nightclub fire case: Court extends police custody of Luthra brothers by five days

A Goa court has extended the police custody of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the nightclub where a deadly fire killed 25 people, by five more days.

Published

18 hours ago

on

December 22, 2025

By

Luthra brothers

A court in Goa on Monday extended the police custody of Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, by five more days in connection with the deadly fire incident that claimed 25 lives on December 6.

The order was passed as investigators sought additional time to question the two accused in the case linked to the blaze at the Anjuna-based nightclub.

Owners were deported after fleeing abroad

According to details placed before the court, the Luthra brothers had left the country following the incident and travelled to Thailand. They were subsequently deported and brought back to India on December 17, after which they were taken into police custody.

Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing the families of the victims, confirmed that the court granted a five-day extension of police custody for both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.

Another co-owner sent to judicial custody

The court also remanded Ajay Gupta, another owner of the nightclub, to judicial custody. Police did not seek an extension of his custody, following which the court passed the order, the victims’ counsel said.

The Anjuna police have registered a case against the Luthra brothers for culpable homicide not amounting to murder along with other relevant offences related to the fire incident.

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