logo
Opposition in Maharashtra demands to make film ‘Phule' tax-free and screen in schools

Opposition in Maharashtra demands to make film ‘Phule' tax-free and screen in schools

The Hindu02-05-2025
Opposition in Maharashtra has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to exempt the film Phulefrom tax and make it available in schools. They argued that making the film tax-free would allow more people to know the history of India's social reforms and movements.
While NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil asked to make it tax-free, aiming to reach more people with the history of social reforms, Mumbai Congress president and MP Varsha Gaikwad wants school students to understand the struggle of such social reformers that enabled girls to pursue education in India.
Actor and filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan directed the film Phule, a biopic on the lives of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, released on April 25. The film has already attracted criticism from the Brahmin community for allegedly showing the community in a bad light. The director has defended that the film is not against the Brahmins, and the controversy around it was 'unnecessary'.
Mr. Patil on Friday asked Mr. Fadnavis to tax-free the film Phule that depicts the struggles of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule for equality and see the living history of the movement built for the upliftment of society. He shared the letter on X, mentioning, 'The work of Mahatma Phule and Savitrimai is beyond opening water tanks for Dalits and promoting women's education. The film has been opposed in the 21st century as much as the couple faced opposition for their work in the 19th century, resulting deletion of nearly 12 scenes from the film.'
'Everyone must watch the struggle of the couple fighting to give a man the right to live as a human being,' he wrote, adding that people's misconceptions will also be cleared.
Mumbai Congress president and MP Varsha Gaikwad demanded that the film be made tax-free in Maharashtra and screened in schools, especially girls' schools across the State. Crediting the Phule couple for all her achievements, Ms. Gaikwad said, 'Many women like me can get themselves educated and work in the political field just because of Phule's initiatives to educate women and the underprivileged sections of society.' 'We have a social responsibility towards them; the current generation should understand their struggle. This is possible through this film,' she wrote in the letter to Mr. Fadnavis.
Meanwhile, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) Chief Prakash Ambedkar also raised his voice to make the film tax-free. 'I demand that the film be released without any cuts and be made tax-free in Maharashtra. VBA follows the Phule-Shahu-Ambedkarwadi ideology, and we will NOT tolerate and stay quiet to this insult of Mahatma Phule,' he posted on X, a few weeks ago.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PM Modi launches ₹2,200 crore projects in his constituency Varanasi, says ‘Anti-development govts mislead...'
PM Modi launches ₹2,200 crore projects in his constituency Varanasi, says ‘Anti-development govts mislead...'

Mint

time37 minutes ago

  • Mint

PM Modi launches ₹2,200 crore projects in his constituency Varanasi, says ‘Anti-development govts mislead...'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Saturday, August 2, and launched multiple development projects worth around ₹ 2,200 crore. While addressing the public, he accused SP and Congress governments of spreading rumours and misleading people. As he launched the 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme he said, 'Our government is working tirelessly for the welfare of farmers. The earlier governments did not even fulfil one scheme they had promised. BJP government delivers what it promises. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has become an example of the strong will and intentions of the government.' With plans to benefit over 9.7 crore farmers across the country, the scheme aims to offer direct financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Charging at the opposition, he said, 'The anti-development governments like SP and Congress would spread rumours and mislead people in all ways possible.' According to PIB's press release dated August 1, ₹ 3.69 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers' accounts through 19 instalments since the scheme's launch in 2019. "This is very unfortunate for the country that a hopeless opposition is living with these false hopes. All they can do is lie to the farmers and mislead them... PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has been ongoing without a break since its inception. So far, ₹ 3.75 lakh crore have been credited into he accounts of beneficiary farmers... Farmers of Kashi alone have received ₹ 900 crores," DD News quoted the Prime Minister as saying. The development projects aim to nurture and boost infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, urban development and cultural heritage sectors. The prime focus of the allocated funds would be to 'preserve culturally significant water bodies,' progressive work on 'water purification and maintenance works at various kunds including Ramkund, Mandakini, Shankuldhara and others.' Striving to achieve holistic urban transformation with improved road connectivity and power infrastructure, significant investment will be made on 'widening and strengthening of the Varanasi - Bhadohi road and Chhitauni- Shool Tankeshwar road; and Railway Overbridge at Hardattpur.' Educational projects in focus include upgradation of 53 school buildings within the municipal boundary, the construction of a new district library and the rejuvenation of Government High Schools at Jakhini and Lalpur, among others. From inaugurating Animal Birth Control Centre and an associated Dog Care Centre, PM Modi facilitated inauguration of advanced medical equipment installations, including robotic surgery and CT scan facilities.

India on way to 3rd biggest economy: PM Modi after Trump's 'dead economy' remark
India on way to 3rd biggest economy: PM Modi after Trump's 'dead economy' remark

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

India on way to 3rd biggest economy: PM Modi after Trump's 'dead economy' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed the resilience of the Indian economy and said the country is on track to become the world's third-largest economy, amid global economic turbulence triggered by tariff hikes announced by Donald Trump. The Prime Minister stressed that India must remain vigilant about its economic interests and also made a strong pitch for 'swadeshi' products, calling it the way Modi's remarks came just days after US President Donald Trump described India as a 'dead economy' while commenting on the country's ties with pointing out the 'atmosphere of global instability', the Prime Minister asserted that the government is doing everything necessary to serve the country's best interests. 'There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is going to become the third biggest economy in the world and that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned,' PM Modi said at a rally in added, 'Our government is doing everything it can in the best interest of the country... Those who want the best for the country and want to see India as the third biggest economy in the world, be it any political party, should leave their differences aside and instil a resolution for 'swadeshi' products'.'We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local,' the Prime Minister stressed. On July 31, a day after imposing sweeping trade penalties and a 25 per cent tariff on nearly all imports from India, Trump launched a scathing attack on New Delhi's ties with Moscow, dismissing both nations as 'dead economies' and bluntly stating that he 'does not care' what India does with Russia."I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care," he posted on social WARNS PAKISTANAt the Varanasi rally, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack on Pakistan and warned terror elements that they would not be spared, even if they sought refuge in paatal lok."When there is injustice and terror in front, Mahadev adorns his 'Rudra roop'. The world saw this face of India during Operation Sindoor. Anyone who messes with India will not be spared even in 'pataal lok'," he said. HITS OUT AT OPPOSITIONPM Modi hit out at the Opposition, saying the Congress and its allies can't digest that India destroyed terror hideouts in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor."Everyone understands that Pakistan is upset. But the Congress and the Samajwadi Party cannot handle the pain that Pakistan is going through. Pakistan is crying, and here, the Congress and SP are crying, seeing the condition of terrorists. Congress is constantly insulting the valour of our forces and has called Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha'," the Prime Minister further alleged, "In this politics of votebank and appeasement, Samajwadi Party is no less. Their leaders were questioning why the Pahalgam terrorists were killed on this particular day? Should I call and ask them before taking any action? Anyone with common sense should be able to answer. Do we need to wait to kill terrorists? Should we have given them a chance to flee?"The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of giving a clean chit to terrorists during its time in power.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Narendra Modi#Donald Trump

Sharad Pawar urges Maharashtra CM Fadnavis to handle Yavat incident sensitively
Sharad Pawar urges Maharashtra CM Fadnavis to handle Yavat incident sensitively

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Sharad Pawar urges Maharashtra CM Fadnavis to handle Yavat incident sensitively

Nationalist Congress Party NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday requested Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to handle the communal incident that took place in Pune's Yavat over an objectionable social media post by a youth of a different community, people aware of the developments in the NCP said. Pawar has asked CM Fadnavis to ensure communal harmony needs to be maintained. (ANI photo) The development comes a day after a mob vandalised properties and indulged in arson in Yavat over an objectionable post allegedly uploaded on social media by a youth from a different community. They also pelted stones on a religious site leading to communal tension in the area. A motorcycle was set ablaze and a bakery was damaged. Tear gas was used by the police to control the situation. Since then, a curfew has been in place in the village and its surrounding areas. Also Read: Mob violence in Pune's Yavat over 'objectionable' WhatsApp post; youth detained Pawar has asked CM Fadnavis to ensure communal harmony needs to be maintained and those indulging in violence should be strictly dealt with, a senior NCP leader said. He further requested the chief minister to direct the state administration to ensure such incidents are not repeated. Fadnavis also apprised media persons of the current situation of the incident. Fadnavis, who was in Pune to attend an event on Friday said deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is also NCP president, visited Yavat and met the affected people, soon after the incident. 'After today's incident, Section 144 has been imposed in the area for 48 hours. The situation is under control, and there is no need to panic,' Ajit said on Friday. He urged all citizens, regardless of caste or religion, to maintain peace and harmony and not fall for rumours.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store