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Tag: Narottam Mishra

  • MP minister Narottam Mishra ‘defends Indian culture’ with attacks on films, rivals

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: When Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra objected to actor Deepika Padukone’s attire in a song in Hindi film “Pathaan”, it came as no surprise as he has now acquired the image of a politician at the forefront of defending Indian culture and traditions against any perceived insult and making acerbic attacks on rivals.

    Mishra (62), a 6-term MLA of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Datia district who is also the state government’s spokesperson, often hits headlines for his controversial comments – whether they are related to films or leaders of other political parties.

    A powerful minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet, Mishra’s remarks last week on the colours of attires used in a song (‘Besharam Rang’) featuring Padukone and superstar Shah Rukh Khan triggered a wave of protests and led to calls for a ban on the upcoming Bollywood film “Pathaan” for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of a community.

    He had said the “green” and “saffron” colours of the attires of the actor (Khan) and the actress (Padukone) need to be “rectified” along with the lyrics of the song and also the title of the film, which will hit the screens next month.

    Though Madhya Pradesh recently bagged the award for being the ‘Most Film Friendly State” for the second time in the last five years, the BJP leader, always seen with red tilak on his forehead, leaves no opportunity to take on film stars and producers whenever he feels some scenes in their movies are against the tenets of Hindu culture.

    However, the Opposition Congress has alleged Mishra has failed to properly handle his ministries (besides home, he also looks after jail, parliamentary affairs, law departments) and often makes controversial statements to remain in the limelight.

    But the BJP defended the minister’s statements on the ground he is holding important portfolios and all his comments are in accordance with party line.

    Before finding “faults” in the song ‘Besharm Rang’ and calling for their rectification, Mishra in October had warned the makers of another Bollywood film, “Adipurush”, based on the epic Ramayana, of legal action if scenes showing Hindu religious figures in a “wrong” way were not removed.

    In July, he had directed authorities to file an FIR (First Information Report) over a controversial poster of filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s documentary ‘Kaali’ after an outrage.

    READ HERE | ‘No matter what the world does, all positive people are alive’: SRK amid ‘Pathaan’ song row

    Mishra, however, on Sunday asserted Madhya Pradesh will remain the most film-friendly state in the country.

    “No protest will be allowed at any film set. All are welcome here. Madhya Pradesh was, is and will remain the most film-friendly state,” he said.

    The home minister made these comments when asked by reporters about a protest by right-wing outfits at Bhedaghat, the site of marble rocks, and the picturesque Dhuadhar waterfall in Jabalpur after news spread that another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film, ‘Dunki’, was being shot there.

    Not just films, non-BJP politicians, too, are often in firing line of the saffron leader.

    Mishra had termed the Rahul Gandhi-led “Bharat Jodo Yatra” as the “Congress Chodo Yatra (Quit Congress Yatra)” while taking a jibe at defections from the country’s oldest political party after the launch of the foot march at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7.

    Earlier, he had compared the Congress MP from Wayanad in Kerala with former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    On Sunday, the BJP leader drew a parallel between Gandhi and Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto, whose recent controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulted in strong criticism from the Indian government and also triggered protests in several parts of the country.

    “The statement of Bilawalji and Rahul Gandhi is similar. One of them is questioning the Army (over border issue with China), while the other is raising questions on the Prime Minister (Modi) of the country. Therefore, I would like to ask Kamal Nathji (Madhya Pradesh Congress president) whether he agrees or disagrees with the words used by Gandhi,” Mishra said.

    Gandhi faced flak for his remark that Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh.

    OPINION by Nadav Lapid: ‘The Kashmir Files’ is disguised as a film

    The BJP leader had also criticized Gandhi on the issue of Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker and Congress leader and former JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar participating in the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and termed them as members of the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang (elements seeking India’s dismemberment).

    “Participation of persons with an anti-national mindset like Swara Bhasker and Kanhaiya Kumar in the Bharat Jodo Yatra has proved this yatra is being taken in support of those who want to break up the country,” the MP minister had said.

    Madhya Pradesh Congress media department chairman KK Mishra said, “He (Narottam Mishra) keeps giving controversial statements to remain in the limelight as he has been unsuccessful as the state home minister.”

    However, the BJP has come out in strong defence of its minister.

    State BJP spokesman Pankaj Tiwari said, ‘Mishra is a very senior leader of the party and handles important portfolios, including home, law and legislative affairs. He regularly interacts with the media on issues of law and order, social, political and harmony in society. All his statements are in accordance with party line.”

    BHOPAL: When Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra objected to actor Deepika Padukone’s attire in a song in Hindi film “Pathaan”, it came as no surprise as he has now acquired the image of a politician at the forefront of defending Indian culture and traditions against any perceived insult and making acerbic attacks on rivals.

    Mishra (62), a 6-term MLA of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Datia district who is also the state government’s spokesperson, often hits headlines for his controversial comments – whether they are related to films or leaders of other political parties.

    A powerful minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet, Mishra’s remarks last week on the colours of attires used in a song (‘Besharam Rang’) featuring Padukone and superstar Shah Rukh Khan triggered a wave of protests and led to calls for a ban on the upcoming Bollywood film “Pathaan” for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of a community.

    He had said the “green” and “saffron” colours of the attires of the actor (Khan) and the actress (Padukone) need to be “rectified” along with the lyrics of the song and also the title of the film, which will hit the screens next month.

    Though Madhya Pradesh recently bagged the award for being the ‘Most Film Friendly State” for the second time in the last five years, the BJP leader, always seen with red tilak on his forehead, leaves no opportunity to take on film stars and producers whenever he feels some scenes in their movies are against the tenets of Hindu culture.

    However, the Opposition Congress has alleged Mishra has failed to properly handle his ministries (besides home, he also looks after jail, parliamentary affairs, law departments) and often makes controversial statements to remain in the limelight.

    But the BJP defended the minister’s statements on the ground he is holding important portfolios and all his comments are in accordance with party line.

    Before finding “faults” in the song ‘Besharm Rang’ and calling for their rectification, Mishra in October had warned the makers of another Bollywood film, “Adipurush”, based on the epic Ramayana, of legal action if scenes showing Hindu religious figures in a “wrong” way were not removed.

    In July, he had directed authorities to file an FIR (First Information Report) over a controversial poster of filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s documentary ‘Kaali’ after an outrage.

    READ HERE | ‘No matter what the world does, all positive people are alive’: SRK amid ‘Pathaan’ song row

    Mishra, however, on Sunday asserted Madhya Pradesh will remain the most film-friendly state in the country.

    “No protest will be allowed at any film set. All are welcome here. Madhya Pradesh was, is and will remain the most film-friendly state,” he said.

    The home minister made these comments when asked by reporters about a protest by right-wing outfits at Bhedaghat, the site of marble rocks, and the picturesque Dhuadhar waterfall in Jabalpur after news spread that another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film, ‘Dunki’, was being shot there.

    Not just films, non-BJP politicians, too, are often in firing line of the saffron leader.

    Mishra had termed the Rahul Gandhi-led “Bharat Jodo Yatra” as the “Congress Chodo Yatra (Quit Congress Yatra)” while taking a jibe at defections from the country’s oldest political party after the launch of the foot march at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7.

    Earlier, he had compared the Congress MP from Wayanad in Kerala with former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    On Sunday, the BJP leader drew a parallel between Gandhi and Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto, whose recent controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulted in strong criticism from the Indian government and also triggered protests in several parts of the country.

    “The statement of Bilawalji and Rahul Gandhi is similar. One of them is questioning the Army (over border issue with China), while the other is raising questions on the Prime Minister (Modi) of the country. Therefore, I would like to ask Kamal Nathji (Madhya Pradesh Congress president) whether he agrees or disagrees with the words used by Gandhi,” Mishra said.

    Gandhi faced flak for his remark that Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh.

    OPINION by Nadav Lapid: ‘The Kashmir Files’ is disguised as a film

    The BJP leader had also criticized Gandhi on the issue of Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker and Congress leader and former JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar participating in the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and termed them as members of the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang (elements seeking India’s dismemberment).

    “Participation of persons with an anti-national mindset like Swara Bhasker and Kanhaiya Kumar in the Bharat Jodo Yatra has proved this yatra is being taken in support of those who want to break up the country,” the MP minister had said.

    Madhya Pradesh Congress media department chairman KK Mishra said, “He (Narottam Mishra) keeps giving controversial statements to remain in the limelight as he has been unsuccessful as the state home minister.”

    However, the BJP has come out in strong defence of its minister.

    State BJP spokesman Pankaj Tiwari said, ‘Mishra is a very senior leader of the party and handles important portfolios, including home, law and legislative affairs. He regularly interacts with the media on issues of law and order, social, political and harmony in society. All his statements are in accordance with party line.”

  • After threat letter to Rahul, MP minister guarantees high security during Bharat Jodo Yatra

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: A day after an anonymous letter threatened bomb blasts in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Saturday said it was the state government’s responsibility to provide security to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is leading this foot-march.

    The anonymous letter threatened that bomb blasts would be carried out in that city if the Bharat Jodo Yatra made a scheduled night halt at Khalsa Stadium here on November 28.

    The letter, which referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, also threatened the assassinations of Rahul Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath.

    “The government is responsible for the foolproof security of Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh.

    I want to assure them that it is our commitment as far as providing security is concerned,” Mishra told reporters in response to a query about the threat letter.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Sweet shop receives letter containing multiple threats, case lodged in Indore

    The minister, however, accused Kamal Nath of rubbing salt to the wounds of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by going to the Khalsa Stadium for a function earlier this month.

    “Perhaps Nath does not want Rahul Gandhi’s yatra to come to the state,” Mishra said.

    The Indore police had said on Friday that the anonymous threat letter was received at a sweets-snacks shop in the Juni area of the city on Thursday evening.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Friday under section 507 (criminal intimidation by an unknown person) of the Indian Penal Code.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra: Security beefed up in Shegaon ahead of Rahul’s rally after politics over Savarkar

    Khalsa Stadium in Indore was in news earlier this month after there was a controversy over Nath being felicitated at a function held there on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 8.

    Kirtan singer Manpreet Singh Kanpuri had referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, regarding which Nath had faced allegations in the past, and blasted the organisers for felicitating Nath.

    The BJP has already announced that if Nath enters the stadium during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, it will be shown black flags.

    BHOPAL: A day after an anonymous letter threatened bomb blasts in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Saturday said it was the state government’s responsibility to provide security to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is leading this foot-march.

    The anonymous letter threatened that bomb blasts would be carried out in that city if the Bharat Jodo Yatra made a scheduled night halt at Khalsa Stadium here on November 28.

    The letter, which referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, also threatened the assassinations of Rahul Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath.

    “The government is responsible for the foolproof security of Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh.

    I want to assure them that it is our commitment as far as providing security is concerned,” Mishra told reporters in response to a query about the threat letter.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Sweet shop receives letter containing multiple threats, case lodged in Indore

    The minister, however, accused Kamal Nath of rubbing salt to the wounds of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by going to the Khalsa Stadium for a function earlier this month.

    “Perhaps Nath does not want Rahul Gandhi’s yatra to come to the state,” Mishra said.

    The Indore police had said on Friday that the anonymous threat letter was received at a sweets-snacks shop in the Juni area of the city on Thursday evening.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Friday under section 507 (criminal intimidation by an unknown person) of the Indian Penal Code.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra: Security beefed up in Shegaon ahead of Rahul’s rally after politics over Savarkar

    Khalsa Stadium in Indore was in news earlier this month after there was a controversy over Nath being felicitated at a function held there on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 8.

    Kirtan singer Manpreet Singh Kanpuri had referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, regarding which Nath had faced allegations in the past, and blasted the organisers for felicitating Nath.

    The BJP has already announced that if Nath enters the stadium during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, it will be shown black flags.

  • Now, Hindu outfit demands archaeological survey of Bhopal’s Jama Masjid, rakes up temple theory

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: While Gyanwapi Mosque case in Varanasi continues to hog headlines, a similar issue seems brewing over 700 kms away in the Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal. 

    A local right wing Hindu outfit Sanskriti Bachao Manch, while claiming that the Jama Masjid located in old Bhopal’s Chowk Bazar locality was built in the 19th century on a Shiva Temple, has sought from the state government, a detailed archaeological survey of the mosque.

    The outfit’s head Chandrashekhar Tiwari met the state’s home minister Narottam Mishra in Bhopal on Thursday and submitted a memorandum, demanding detailed survey of the Jama Masjid.

    Tiwari is also preparing to file a petition in the local court in Bhopal over the issue in the coming days.

    “We’ve submitted a memorandum to the home minister in Bhopal on Thursday, demanding detailed archaeological survey of the Jama Masjid. Next we’ll petition the court in Bhopal, seeking survey and excavation in the Mosque to bare the history of the mosque having been built over a Temple called Sabha Mandap,” Tiwari told The New Indian Express on Thursday.

    “What has been stated by us in the memorandum to the home minister and what will be mentioned in the petition in the coming are not based on any fanciful thinking, but actually is based on facts mentioned in the Hayate-I-Qudsi (book on Bhopal’s first woman ruler Nawab Qudsia Begum),” he said.

    The woman ruler (1819-1832) built the Jama Masjid and Gohar Mahal Palace in Bhopal. 

    In the book on her life, “It has been mentioned that the work on building the Jama Masjid in Bhopal started in 1832 and entire mosque was built in 1857. It has also been clearly mentioned in that very book that the mosque was built on the same land where a Hindu Temple known as Sabha Mandap had already existed.

    “We hope that the state government helps us and every Hindu in knowing the actual truth about Bhopal’s Jama Masjid having been built on the ruins of the Hindu temple,” Tiwari said.

    Importantly, before Tiwari took up the issue on Thursday, the same issue with similar demand was raised on social media by another right wing Hindu outfit, Hindu Dharma Sena.

    Yogesh Agrawal, the Jabalpur based state president of the Hindu Dharma Sena, had raised the issue of the Jama Masjid in Bhopal, having been built on the ruins of a Shiva Temple called Sabha Mandap.

    Agrawal is the same saffron brigade leader, who few weeks back, had demanded ban on entry of non-Hindus on river Narmada ghats in Jabalpur.

    Meanwhile, the ruling BJP’s state spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said the Hindu outfit’s demand, if supported with concrete evidence, needs to be discussed at the highest level.

  • MP government scales up security of prison housing convicts of Ahmedabad bomb blasts

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government has set a high-level committee to review the security of Bhopal Central Jail, where six convicts of the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts lodged, and has also decided to deploy a squad of the special armed force to guard the prison, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra has said.

    The six convicts lodged in the jail here include Safdar Nagori, the key conspirator of the Ahmedabad blasts.

    Nagori was one of the 38 convicts sentenced to death in the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case by a Gujarat court last week.

    A high-level committee has been constituted to monitor the security of the Bhopal Central Jail where the terrorists associated with the Ahmedabad blasts are lodged, Mishra said on Monday evening after a meeting with top police and jail officials.

    The committee is headed by Additional Director General, jail department, Gajiram Meena, and also includes Deputy Inspector General Sanjay Pandey and Bhopal Central Jail Superintendent Dinesh Nargave, he said.

    “The committee will review the security on a daily basis from all aspects, like people who want to meet these convicts, their food and security,” said Mishra, who holds charge of the state jail department.

    Also, Bhopal police commissioner has been directed to enhance monitoring and patrolling around the central jail, he said.

    “In a bid to scale up the security, it is also decided to deploy a squad of the Special Armed Force (SAF) in the central jail,” Mishra said.

    The state Director General of Police will also keep a watch on the security through CCTVs, he said.

    Senior officials can also talk to the central jail personnel through a hotline, he said.

    Last week, a special court in Gujarat sentenced to death 38 convicts and handed life terms to 11 others in the case of 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts in which 56 people had lost their lives and over 200 were injured.

    Nagori (54), a native of Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, was the general secretary of the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

    The other convicts in the case who are lodged in the Bhopal jail are Qumaruddin Nagori, Shivli, Shaduli, Amil Parvez, Hafiz, all sentenced to death, and Ansab, who was sentenced to life imprisonment till death.

    These five convicts are in the age group of 35 to 50 years.

    Three other accused lodged in the Bhopal Central Jail – Ahmed Beg, Yasin and Kamran – were acquitted in the case.

    After hearing the verdict last week, Nagori had appeared remorseless and was heard saying the Constitution does not mean anything to him, according to officials.

    He was accused of collecting funds for acquiring explosives and for other illegal activities of SIMI related to the Ahmedabad blasts.

    Nagori, the son of a police assistant sub-inspector in Madhya Pradesh, is facing charges in nearly 100 criminal cases.

  • MP government orders probe after clip shows chanting of ‘Jai Shriram’ on seeing burqa-clad girls entering college

    By PTI

    BHOPAL/DATIA: The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry after a video showed a group of people raising “Jai Shriram” slogans on seeing two girls clad in burqa and hijab entering a government college in Datia town.

    Ordering the inquiry, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who is the government spokesman, reiterated on Tuesday that there was no proposal to ban the wearing of the hijab in Madhya Pradesh.

    The viral video clip showed some young men raising slogans of ‘Jai Shriram’ after seeing two girls clad in burqa and hijab entering the campus of the government post-graduate college in Datia.

    This incident occurred on Monday (February 14).

    The college had recently issued an order banning students from wearing religious attire, including hijab.

    “Datia is a living example of communal harmony. I have seen the video of Datia PG College. I have directed the district collector to inquire into the order issued by its principal. The state government has already clarified that there is no proposal to ban hijab in Madhya Pradesh and nobody should create confusion on this issue,” Mishra, who is MLA from Datia, said in a video statement.

    Ajay Singh Raj, a Bajrang Dal activist, had said in a statement that saffron activists had paid a surprise visit to the Datia PG college campus and found that some students reached there wearing burqa and hijab, “which is not as per the Constitution”.

    “If this (wearing of burqa and hijab) continues, Hindu students will reach the said college in the ‘bhagwa’ (saffron) uniform,” he said and threatened to launch an agitation against the college management.

    Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Bhopal (Central) Arif Masood thanked the state home minister for ordering an inquiry.

    He said since the state government had already clarified that there was no proposal on cards to ban the wearing of hijab on campus, the educational institutions should not bear any confusion in mind in this regard.

    He urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation on this issue.

    “I appeal to educational institutions to protect students as examinations are underway,” the MLA added.

  • Madhya Pradesh home minister directs DGP to file FIR against Amazon officials, owner

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Amid a row, the Madhya Pradesh government has directed the police to register an FIR against officials of e-commerce giant Amazon and its owner for allegedly selling products, including shoes, with the image of the Indian national flag, Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday.

    Amazon faced the ire of a section of Indian social media users over merchandising some products, including apparel and food items, that feature images of the Indian flag, with some saying that using the tricolour in such a way was an insult and a violation of the country’s flag code.

    “It has come to my notice that our national flag is used on products being sold by the online e-commerce platform Amazon. It is intolerable that even it (the national flag) has been used on shoes,” Mishra, who is the state government spokesman, told reporters here. Prima facie, it is a violation of the National Flag Code, he said.”

    “I have directed Director General of Police (DGP) to file an FIR against Amazon’s officials and owner,” Mishra added. This is not the first time that the MP’s home minister has directed the police to file an FIR against Amazon.

    Last November, Mishra had ordered the filing of an FIR against officials of Amazon over the suicide of a youth from MP who allegedly obtained poisonous sulphas (used as an agricultural fumigant and is poisonous) tablets through the e-commerce site.

    The police in the Bhind district had registered an FIR against unnamed officials of Amazon India after busting a gang that allegedly supplied ganja under the guise of selling stevia (a natural sweetener) through the e-commerce portal.

    Amazon had on Monday said it remains committed to take necessary action against sellers who may have listed any non-compliant products. Amazon.in is an online marketplace where third-party sellers offer products for sale directly to customers, and as such is responsible for ensuring compliances associated with the sale of these products, it said.

    “We require all products offered on the marketplace to comply with applicable laws and constantly take appropriate action on non-compliance. Amazon remains committed to taking necessary action against sellers who may have listed any non-compliant products,” the company said.

  • Remove video in 3 days or face action: MP minister warns Sunny Leone

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Sunday warned actor Sunny Leone and singers Shaarib and Toshi to apologise and withdraw their music video ‘Madhuban mein Radhika, jaise jungle me nache mor’ within three days or else face action.

    The minister alleged that the video hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus.

    “Some vidharmis are constantly hurting Hindu sentiments. The video ‘Madhuban me Radhika nache’ is one such condemnable attempt. I am warning Sunny Leone ji, Shaarib and Toshi ji to understand. If they don’t remove the song after apologising in three days, then we will take action against them,” Mishra told reporters when asked about the song.

    Mishra, who is also the Madhya Pradesh government spokesperson, said Hindus worship Maa Radha and the song has hurt the sentiments of the people.

    The song, which was released last week, is sung by Shaarib and Toshi, and features Sunny Leone.

    On December 22, Leone had tweeted, “New Song Alert, Party Vibes only with #Madhuban!”, while sharing the video of the song ‘Madhuban me Radhika, jaise jungle me nache mor’.

    The initial few words of this song match with the iconic ‘Madhuban mein Radhika naache re’ song from the 1960 film “Kohinoor”.

    That song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and featured late actor Dilip Kumar.

    On Saturday, priests in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura had demanded a ban on this latest video album of Sunny Leone, accusing the Bollywood actor of hurting their religious sentiments by performing an “obscene” dance on the song ‘Madhuban mein Radhika nache’.

    In October this year, Mishra had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to fashion and jewellery designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to withdraw an advertisement with an “objectionable and obscene” portrayal of mangalsutra or else face statutory action.

    The designer had later withdrawn this advertisement.

    Similarly, a few days before that, Dabur India Private Limited had withdrawn its Fem cream bleach advertisement, which showed same-sex couple celebrating ‘Karva Chauth’ and watching each other through a sieve, after the MP home minister termed the ad as objectionable and warned of taking legal steps against the company.

  • Will consider proposal to rename Habibganj police station, says Madhya Pradesh home minister

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: After the name of the Habibganj railway station in Bhopal was changed, there is also a proposal to rename the Habibganj police station, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Wednesday.

    Last week, the revamped railway station was renamed after Rani Kamalapati, the famous Gond queen.

    The Habibganj police station is situated in the posh Arera Colony area of the city.

    “I have received a proposal on the issue. Some people have given a memorandum to me. we will consider it,” Mishra told reporters.

    The renaming of the railway station was announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state capital on November 15 to inaugurate the redeveloped facility.

    “Rani Kamalapati is the pride of the Gond community and last Hindu queen of Bhopal,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said while announcing the decision.

  • Vir Das won’t be allowed to perform in Madhya Pradesh: Minister Narottam Mishra

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday said comedian Vir Das, who is facing police complaints over his monologue “I come from two Indias”, would not be allowed to perform in the state.

    Das, who is in the US right now, on Monday uploaded a six-minute video on YouTube titled “I come from two Indias”, which was a part of his recent performance at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

    The Mumbai-based stand-up comic, who has also dabbled in cinema, had touched on various topics in the clip, including the farm protests, the battle against COVID-19, the duality in response to women, particularly rape, and the crackdown on comedians.

    “We won’t allow such jesters to perform. If he tenders an apology, we are going to think over it,” Mishra, who is also the MP government’s spokesman, told PTI when asked about the comedian’s monologue.

    Das, who has issued a statement saying his comments weren’t intended to insult the country, has found backing from TMC member Mahua Moitra as well as Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor.

    Mishra said there are some jesters who try to “defame” India, and they have some supporters like Kapil Sibal and other Congress people.

    “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also defames India on foreign land. MP Congress chief Kamal Nath also does it,” the minister alleged.

    “Such type of people like him, I call them ‘vidushak’ (jester) would not be allowed to perform in the state. If he (Das) apologises, we are going to think over it,” he said.

    Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi had criticised Das for “vilifying the nation” and actor Kangana Ranaut demand strict action against the comedian.

    The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a film body that claims to have have over 2.5 lakh registered members, earlier said its members won’t work with Das unless he issues a public apology.

    Last month, Narottam Mishra had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to fashion and jewellery designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to withdraw an advertisement with “objectionable and obscene” portrayal of ‘mangalsutra’ or else face statutory action.

    Prior to it, Dabur India Private Limited had withdrawn its Fem cream bleach advertisement, which showed same-sex couple celebrating Karva Chauth and watching each other through a sieve, after Mishra termed the ad as objectionable and warned that legal steps would be taken against it.

  • Will get Salman Khurshid’s controversial book on Hindutva banned: Narottam Mishra

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is contemplating banning in the state, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s book in which he has compared Hindutva to radical jihadist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram, after taking legal opinion on the matter, said Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Friday.

    The minister also hit out at Khurshid over the book on the Ayodhya verdict, titled ‘Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times’, which was released on Wednesday.

    Talking to reporters in Bhopal, Mishra said, “We will take the opinion of legal experts on the book and get it banned in Madhya Pradesh.”

    Mishra criticised Khurshid over the controversial content of the book and accused the former Union minister of targeting Hindutva and attempting to divide the majority community.

    “These people do not leave any opportunity to target Hindutva and divide Hindus on caste lines. After ‘Bharat Tere Tukde Honge Inshallah Inshallah’, Rahul Gandhi was the first to go there (on that path). Salman Khurshid is now taking forward the same idea,” he said.

    Mishra stated that Congress leader Kamal Nath had earlier said this is not “Mahan Bharat” but a “Badnam Bharat” (in context of coronavirus pandemic), and his party colleague Khurshid is now moving in the same direction.

    Khurshid, in his book, writes: “Sanatan Dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints were being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to the jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years.”