A comment made by Janardhan Chandurkar over stripping Lata Mangeshkar of Padma, Bharat Ratna awards has snowballed into a controversy with the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance reacting sharply to the Mumbai Congress chief's demand.
Lata Mangeshkar, earlier this month, extended her support to Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. "I pray to God that what we want is fulfilled and Narendra Bhai becomes the PM. This is everyone's wish," the singer had said, stoking a political controversy.
On Monday, Chandurkar, who is a former MLA, criticised Mangeshkar for supporting Modi’s candidature for prime ministership.
Speaking at a function to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Chandurkar said: “Artists who are showing support to politicians should give up their Padma awards or else the government should strip them of their awards."
Reacting to Chandurkar's demand, senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut said: “These awards are not the property of Chandurkar’s grandfather. These are awards conferred by the government in recognition of a person’s contribution to different fields. The government had given the Bharat Ratna and other prestigious awards to Lataji in recognition of her immense contribution to the world of music. One does not become a slave of the government just because it gave an award to a person. Every award-winner, including Lataji, is entitled to her opinion. It is absurd to ask her to return the awards. If Chandurkar dislikes Lataji so much, he should stop listening to her songs.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Atul Shah hit out at Chandurkar, saying the statement suggests the Congress leader is immature. Lata Mangeshkar has right to express her views and it would be wrong to gag her.
BJP spokesperson Nalin S Kohli tweeted, “Modi phobia at its worst. Lata ji praises Modi ji & the Congress demands that her awards should be taken back!”
Lata was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 2001. She received Padma Bhushan in 1969, Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1989, among other awards.
Lata Mangeshkar, earlier this month, extended her support to Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. "I pray to God that what we want is fulfilled and Narendra Bhai becomes the PM. This is everyone's wish," the singer had said, stoking a political controversy.
On Monday, Chandurkar, who is a former MLA, criticised Mangeshkar for supporting Modi’s candidature for prime ministership.
Speaking at a function to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Chandurkar said: “Artists who are showing support to politicians should give up their Padma awards or else the government should strip them of their awards."
Reacting to Chandurkar's demand, senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut said: “These awards are not the property of Chandurkar’s grandfather. These are awards conferred by the government in recognition of a person’s contribution to different fields. The government had given the Bharat Ratna and other prestigious awards to Lataji in recognition of her immense contribution to the world of music. One does not become a slave of the government just because it gave an award to a person. Every award-winner, including Lataji, is entitled to her opinion. It is absurd to ask her to return the awards. If Chandurkar dislikes Lataji so much, he should stop listening to her songs.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Atul Shah hit out at Chandurkar, saying the statement suggests the Congress leader is immature. Lata Mangeshkar has right to express her views and it would be wrong to gag her.
BJP spokesperson Nalin S Kohli tweeted, “Modi phobia at its worst. Lata ji praises Modi ji & the Congress demands that her awards should be taken back!”
Lata was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 2001. She received Padma Bhushan in 1969, Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1989, among other awards.
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