Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole threatened to stop the release of Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar’s films in the state if they do not clear their stand on the recent fuel price hike in the country.
Just a few days back, Maharashtra government had instituted a probe against cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and iconic playback singer Lata Mangeskar for a tweet. Both the legends had appealed for national unity through tweets in the wake of violence by protesting farmers in Delhi on January 26.
Congress is a part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.
Patole argued both the actors had taken a stand on fuel prices when the Congress-led UPA was in power. And so, if they don’t take a stand now, there will be no screening of their films in the state.
Patole was the speaker of Maharashtra assembly and took over as the Congress chief in the state just a few days back.
The Congress party has a long history of intolerance.
Legendary singer Kishore Kumar and his songs were banned from ALl India Radio when the singer did not endorse the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Similarly, actor Dev Anand’s films were banned from Doordarshan after he refused to praise Sanjay Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi.
Legendary lyricist Mazrooh Sultanpoori spent two years in jail for writing a poem criticising Jawaharlal Nehru.
