National
Row over Tamil film ‘Mersal’ snowballs, Rahul takes dig at Modi (Roundup)
Chennai/New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) The controversy over critical comments on GST and Digital India in Tamil film “Mersal” snowballed on Saturday with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and party leader P. Chidambaram attacking the BJP over alleged attempts to muzzle criticism as BJP leaders justified their attack on actor Vijay who did the lead role in the movie.
Several leaders of parties in Tamil Nadu, including DMK working president M.K. Stalin, joined the debate calling the demand for removal of some dialogues from the film as an attempt to stifle free speech.
Tamil Superstar Kamal Hassan and president of Film Producers Association Vishal also came out in support of Vijay.
Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demand for removal of dialogues critical of GST in the movie and asked him not to “demon-etise Tamil pride” by such interference.
“Mr. Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don’t try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal,” Gandhi said in a tweet.
Vijay has been panned for his dialogues in the film that takes a dig at GST and Digital India. Vijay, who had met Narendra Modi during electioneering ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, had even lauded demonetisation last year.
BJP’s National Secretary H. Raja in a tweet on Friday raked up the actor’s Christian origins.
“Joseph Vijay’s hatred for Modi is ‘Mersal’.”
Tamil Nadu BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan had demanded removal of the dialogues relating to GST, digital payments and temples from the movie as they spread a wrong message.
Earlier on Saturday, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram attacked the BJP in tweets over its demand for removal of dialogues critical of GST in “Mersal”.
“BJP demands deletion of dialogues in ‘Mersal’. Imagine the consequences if ‘Parasakthi’ was released today.
“Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government’s policies,” he said, in a sarcastic note.
“Parasakthi” was a strong critique of the prevailing socio-economic order in 1950’s, scripted and written by DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, and in which the actor, late Sivaji Ganesan mouthed his powerful dialogue.
Hitting back at Chidambaram, Union Minister and BJP leader Pon. Radhakrishnan wanted to know why the Congress leader was supporting Vijay, asking derisively whether he has funded the film.
H. Raja, continuing his criticism of the actor, said somebody who speaks on matters should be above board. “Vijay is not above board as he has faced tax raids and people will not believe him,” he said.
Haasan, in his reaction, said those opposed to the film must “counter criticism with a logical response”.
“‘Mersal’ was certified. Don’t re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response. Don’t silence critics. India will shine when it speaks,” Haasan tweeted on Friday.
Stalin in his tweet said: “BJP’s attempt to muzzle criticism is contrary to democratic principles. The DMK always stands for freedom of speech & creative expression.”
Vishal said any attempt to re-certify the film by taking it back to censors would be against the law.
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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