Oppose gesture of surrendering awards on filmsy ground o gorwing ‘intolerance’
New Delhi/ Nagpur: Several artists and Bollywood stars have now stood against those who have returned their awards on the filmsy ground of growing ‘intolerance.’ Thus, a group of Bollywood stars led by veteran actor Anupam Kher, in support of the government and against the gesture of surrendering awards, held a march from Nations Museum to Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital on Saturday. Kher will meet Prez Pranab Mukkherjee, said media reports.
Talking to media persons, Anupam Kher said, “Every nation has some or other problems, but no one has right to term our country as ‘intolerant.’
Anupam Kher will also meet Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi today, on his return from J&K.
During march, when some of the participants started shouting slogans like ‘haye–haye’ Kher appealed to them not to shout any such slogans. He told his men, “We have not gathered here to criticize any body on this platform.” He advised them to shout the slogan as ‘March for India.’
“Many people accuse me of belonging to Ruling government and thus try to humble down by spirit, but it hardly matters to me,” he declared.
Addressing the gathering, famous singer Malini Awasthi said, “It is totally wrong to accuse the government of the allegation of intolerance.”
Under the guidance of Anupam Kher, the artists will present various cultural programmes through out the day. the programmes include nukkad plays, bhajans, geet-sangeet, etc, all aimed at opposing those who returned their awards in protest.
The veteran actor took such a decision (of march) only after seeing that film-stars like Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, writers and historians have surrendered their award in protest against allegedly growing ‘intolerance’ during one-year rule of BJP government at the centre.
In his twitter, Anupam Kher had written, “The award-surrendering ‘gang’ has not only insulted the government, but also defiled the image as well as integrity of selection committee and its juries, who watch their films.”
