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Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Nadda appoints Pathankot MLA Ashwani Sharma as Punjab unit's working president
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Ashwani Kumar Sharma, an MLA from Pathankot, as the working president of its state unit. BJP national president J P Nadda made the appointment. Sharma, 61, is a seasoned party leader who has served as the state BJP president twice in the past — from February 2010 to January 2013 — and again from January 2020 to July 2023. His role as state BJP chief was under scanner during his last stint as it was a time when farm laws were passed by the central government, which led to major agitation, with Punjab being the epicentre of protest. State BJP leaders were at the receiving end of the Punjab farmers. In September 2020, the SAD also parted its ways with the BJP over the now repealed farm laws. While Sharma takes over as the working president, Sunil Jakhar continues to serve as the president of the Punjab BJP. Jakhar, who had joined BJP in May 2022 after quitting the Congress, was appointed state president in July 2023, succeeding Sharma. However, after the Lok Sabha polls, Jakhar had offered to resign, but the BJP high command did not accept his resignation. Sources revealed that though Jakhar had become somewhat inactive for a few months, he continued to raise key issues concerning Punjab and was seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on multiple occasions — including at a family event in Delhi this March. In recent months, Jakhar has once again become more active in the state's political landscape. Party insiders note that under BJP norms, a state president's term usually lasts three years, which means Jakhar's tenure is likely to continue till July 2026. Whether Sharma's appointment will lead to a change of guard remains to be seen. Interestingly, sources pointed out that the party has not traditionally had a working president in Punjab and only a state president used to be appointed. The move gains significance as it comes at a time when the party's Punjab affairs in-charge, Vijay Rupani, tragically died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad last month, leaving that key post vacant. The Pathankot MLA, a dedicated RSS member and a founder member of the BJP in Punjab, is being seen as a representative voice for the party's original cadre. A former member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — the BJP's student wing — during his college days in Pathankot, Sharma has served in multiple key roles including as general secretary of Punjab BJP from 2007 to 2010. An experienced legislator, he won the Pathankot Assembly seat in 2012 and again in 2022, losing only once in 2017 to Congress's Amit Vij. Recently, he was also handling the campaign of BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta in the Ludhiana West bypoll where the party finished third.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
After ‘Sardarji 3' row, spotlight now on ‘Chal Mera Putt 4' amid backlash over Pakistani actors
With the controversy over Sardarji 3 still simmering in India, all eyes are now on another major Punjabi film, Chal Mera Putt 4, which is slated for a worldwide release on August 1 and prominently features several Pakistani actors, including the now-controversial comedian Iftikhar Thakur. The row over Sardarji 3 erupted after Pakistani actress Hania Aamir was cast opposite Diljit Dosanjh. The film, which was set for release on June 27, has not been released in India so far but has reportedly opened to an overwhelming response in Pakistan and other overseas markets. While Dosanjh has received support from sections of Bollywood, a part of the Punjabi film fraternity, and even the Punjab BJP, there remains no clarity on whether Sardarji 3 will see an Indian release at all. Now, the upcoming Chal Mera Putt 4 is facing similar questions. The film franchise has long been known for its cross-border collaboration featuring popular Pakistani artists like Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, and Akram Udas, who have become staples of its comedic storyline about Punjabis struggling abroad. The controversy took a serious turn after Iftikhar Thakur's provocative statements on May 2, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Appearing on a Pakistani talk show, Thakur warned India, saying, 'If you come through the air, you'll be blown away in the wind. If you come through the sea, you'll be drowned in water. If you come by land, you'll be buried.' His remarks triggered sharp criticism from Punjabi actors and filmmakers in India, who called for an immediate boycott of Pakistani actors in Punjabi cinema. The backlash gathered steam even as many in the Punjabi film industry maintained silence over Thakur's repeated jibes. In June, a video of Thakur further stoked anger when he claimed, 'We are the reason these films work. They have no right to boycott us… It is we who should boycott them. I have signed 16 of their films, and they have invested over ₹300 crore in me. They made nine films without casting us, and all nine were flops.' Punjabi filmmaker and writer Rakesh Dhawan, who penned the Chal Mera Putt series, had hit back sharply, 'Thakur, you cannot run your own household—how do you expect to run Punjabi cinema? Only the films you did with me became hits. The rest were all flops. Chal Mera Putt gave you a global identity,' Dhawan said. He added that while one more film with Thakur is already shot and must be released due to the producer's financial stake, he would have preferred to cut ties. Prominent actors have echoed similar sentiments. Binnu Dhillon in May had branded Thakur 'an enemy,' pledging never to work with him again. Gurpreet Ghuggi had said, 'Artists are supposed to build bridges, not walls. I don't think anyone in the Punjabi film industry will ever work with Pakistani actors now. He has shut the doors not just for himself, but for others too.' Following Thakur's repeated statements, calls to ban Pakistani actors from Indian Punjabi films have grown louder, particularly in the wake of the Sardarji 3 controversy, which also features Chinyoti. In Chal Mera Putt 4, Thakur, Chinyoti, and Udas play prominent roles as Chaudhary Shamsher, Tabrez, and Buta Khan, respectively, alongside Indian leads Amrinder Gill and Simi Chahal. The other Pakistani actors who have worked in previous sequels are Ruby Anam, Zafri Khan and Nasim Vicky. The franchise has historically found huge audiences on both sides of the border and among the global Punjabi diaspora. Earlier, behind-the-scenes videos shared by Gill, Thakur, and others in March showed the team shooting together, even celebrating Thakur's birthday on set. These hinted at the August 1 worldwide release, though no fresh statement has been issued by the makers since the controversy erupted. Interestingly, Udas has distanced himself from Thakur's statements. On June 12, Udas became the first Pakistani actor to publicly criticise Thakur, implicitly rebutting his remarks in a video statement—though he did not name Thakur directly, the context was clear. Scenes involving Pakistani actors in Indian Punjabi films are generally shot outside India and Pakistan, usually in the UK or Canada. Despite this workaround, many stakeholders now believe the future of such collaborations looks bleak. With the Sardarji 3 release in India still hanging in limbo, the fate of Chal Mera Putt 4 has become the next litmus test.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rajkot's beloved leader whose ‘lucky number' marked his final day
Gandhinagar: For Gujarat former chief minister Vijay Rupani , the number 1206 was more than just digits — it was a symbol of fortune, a silent companion through the years. He believed in it with a kind of tender faith. All his vehicles bore it, scooters and cars alike, their registration plates had 1206 on them. Friends say it had always been his lucky charm. But fate, as it sometimes does, gave it a cruel twist. On June 12 — 12/06 — the same number that had followed him for decades marked the day his journey ended. Rupani was aboard the Air India flight that crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. He was en route to London, where family awaited him with open arms. He never arrived. In Rajkot, the city he had served and loved, the news settled like a slow, heavy fog. He wasn't just a political figure — he was a familiar face, a neighbour, a man who had time for everyone. Those who knew him remember his humility more than his achievements. He had been instrumental in key development works — the new airport, AIIMS — but it was his quiet presence, his unwavering availability, that left a deeper mark. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "He was a tall leader, yes," said Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour. "But he lived like one of us. Always kind. Always ready to help. You'd never know he held such a big position. To us, he was just Vijaybhai — our neighbour, our friend." Leaders from across the political spectrum condoled Rupani's death and paid tributes to him. Punjab BJP affairs in-charge Rupani, had put off his family visit to the United Kingdom from June 5 to June 12 owing to the Ludhiana West byelection, according to Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar. "This is very unfortunate. This is how destiny and fate play out that he came into harm's way," Jakhar told TOI. Authorities involved in rescue and relief operations at the crash site confirmed that the former chief minister was among those dead. His nephew Mehul Rupani said, "The family is devastated to know about the sad demise of uncle. Anjali aunty (Vijay Rupani's wife) and her daughter are returning from London, as are other relatives from the US." Rupani's personal assistant Shailesh Mandaliya, who dropped off the former CM at the airport, said, "A few minutes after dropping him at the airport, we heard news of a loud crash. Anjali madam (Rupani's wife) and other family members are expected to return by Friday." While serving as chief minister, Rupani gained the distinction of being a common man's CM. It was during his tenure that amber lights of the CM's convoy were removed and he also directed his security personnel not to hold traffic while his convoy passed. Rupani took over at a time when the BJP was passing through though phase as caste and community agitations were at their peak. Born on Aug 2, 1956 in Yangon (then Rangoon), Myanmar (formerly Burma) into a Jain family, 68-year-old Rupani was the seventh and youngest child of his parents. His family moved to Rajkot in 1960 due to political instability in Myanmar. Rupani completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and LLB from Saurashtra University. Rupani joined Jan Sangh in 1971 and was associated with the BJP since its inception. During the emergency, he was imprisoned in jails of Bhavnagar and Bhuj for 11 months. He was first elected as a municipal councillor of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in 1987 and served as Rajkot mayor from 1996 to 1997. Rupani was Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012. In Aug 2014, after Vajubhai Vala, then speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, resigned as the MLA from Rajkot West assembly seat, Rupani was nominated by the BJP from the seat which he won and was inducted as a cabinet minister in Nov 2014. In Feb 2016, Rupani became the state BJP president. He went on to become the CM in Aug 2016, replacing Anandiben Patel. In Dec 2017 assembly elections that were held under the shadow of the Patidar reservation stir, Rupani led the BJP to victory. Rupani resigned as CM in Sep 2021, paving the way for Bhupendra Patel. He was subsequently given responsibilities at the national level in the BJP. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Operation Blue Star: Reading between the lines of a deleted social media post by Punjab BJP
In a move that has stirred political debate, the Punjab unit of the BJP on June 1 posted, and deleted within four hours, a Facebook tribute referring to 'all' those killed during Operation Blue Star as 'martyrs' – a first for the party in the 40-plus years since the military operation inside the Golden Temple. The now-deleted post, written in Punjabi, read: 'A tribute to all the martyrs who lost their lives on the first day of the attack carried out by the Congress government on the Darbar Sahib.' The accompanying image featured archival visuals of Indian Army tanks inside the Golden Temple complex and damage to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, in the operation. The Punjab BJP has traditionally treaded a thin line over Operation Blue Star, balancing the sentiments of former ally Shiromani Akali Dal and the party's own 'nationalistic', Hindutva stand. The use of emotionally charged terminology like 'martyrs' in the context of Operation Blue Star hence stands out. Urging that not much be read into the deleted post, a senior BJP leader told The Indian Express that the party only meant to invoke the 'dark and painful chapter in Indian history'. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the focus should be on the party's 'intentions' rather than the wording of the post. 'One should look at the intent of putting balm on the wounds of the 1984 riot victims, not just the content,' Jakhar said, pointing to the Delhi BJP government's actions regarding the victims of the anti-Sikh riots. The violence had followed Indira Gandhi's assassination over her role in ordering Operation Blue Star as the Prime Minister. 'Our actions speak louder than words. Just last week, the Delhi Chief Minister gave jobs to 125 family members of 1984 riot victims – something no one did in the past. It was a historic step,' Jakhar said. Asked why the post was removed by the BJP, Jakhar said: 'Sometimes social media handlers post content without proper approval of the leadership. There might have been something in the post that needed correction. However, the overall intent of the party should be the focus.' In fact, the BJP has been pretty consistent in its condemnation of the Congress government's role, even as it defended Operation Blue Star as a necessary military action to eliminate terrorism and restore order in Punjab. The party believes it were failures of the Congress government that led to the situation where militants holed up inside the Golden Temple, leaving little recourse but Army action. In Punjab, the BJP line has been more modulated, keeping in mind regional sensitivities and Sikh sentiments. Hence, it has occasionally expressed sympathy for those killed in the operation, without directly criticising the Army. The fact that the Akali Dal always strongly condemned the operation also influenced this positioning. However, within these limitations as well, the BJP has been sharpening its attack against the Congress on the military action. In 2009, Arun Jaitley, the late BJP leader and then the party's general secretary, called Operation Blue Star a 'historic blunder' at a press conference in Jalandhar ahead of the general elections. In August 2023, during a debate on the no-confidence motion moved against his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the operation 'an attack on the Akal Takht'. It was the first time the party used that framing, largely used by Sikh voices, to describe the operation. Attacking Congress governments of the past, Modi drew parallels between the 1984 operation and the Indian Air Force's bombing in Mizoram in 1966. 'They (the Congress government) had become used to such actions since Mizoram, and that mindset led to the Akal Takht being attacked,' he said. The BJP's now-deleted post has also drawn attention since it coincided with the anniversary of the Operation Blue Star, which began on June 1 – the BJP has traditionally maintained its distance from events held to mark it. BJP rivals link both the sharing of the post and its prompt deletion to the coming Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll. The Aam Aadmi Party candidate contesting the seat is currently a Rajya Sabha MP, and if he wins the bypoll, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal could take the parliamentary seat that falls vacant. While the BJP has made inroads with the Hindu votes in Punjab, it is Sikh support that is crucial if the party wants to make it alone in the state, and the controversial post is being seen in this light. Jakhar lists the many steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing his 'deep respect for Punjab and Punjabis', including the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, commemoration of Guru Nanak Dev's 500th anniversary and Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom, and the declaration of Veer Bal Diwas to honour the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, apart from 'justice' for the 1984 riot victims. 'These steps reflect the PM's priority for Punjab and its people,' Jakhar said. Surjit Singh, the president of the 1984 Riot Victims' Welfare Society in Punjab, acknowledged the BJP government's efforts to support riot victims, but questioned the timing and subsequent deletion of the June 1 post by the BJP. 'They may have done it keeping in mind the Ludhiana West bypoll, wanting to appeal to voters across communities,' he said, adding that all parties 'use such strategies during elections'. Akali Dal spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema attacked the BJP, saying the party needed to explain its actions in putting up and then deleting the post.
News18
03-06-2025
- General
- News18
'Insulted Every Soldier's Widow': Punjab CM's Op Sindoor Jibe At PM Modi Draws BJP Fury
Last Updated: Mann on Tuesday stirred controversy with a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commenting on Operation Sindoor Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday stirred controversy with a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commenting on Operation Sindoor, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting in Chandigarh, Mann took a jibe at the BJP's campaign around the operation and questioned the symbolic use of sindoor, a traditional symbol of marriage worn by many Hindu women. 'What can we do about it? You are asking for votes in the name of sindoor," Mann said. 'Sindoor is now being used as a joke. They're saying they'll send sindoor to every household, he said. 'If sindoor is sent to your home, will you wear it in Modi's name? Is this one nation, one husband? Is that the scheme?" The comment drew immediate and sharp criticism from the BJP, with the party's Chandigarh unit slamming the Chief Minister in a lengthy post on social media platform X. 'Bhagwant Mann just mocked Operation Sindoor, asking: 'Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?" This isn't satire. This is vulgarity dressed as leadership," the BJP post said. The party further explained that Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were specifically targeted by terrorists and identified by their sindoor. 'Let's be clear: Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were targeted by terrorists, identified by their sindoor. It was about justice for the innocent, not a joke." 'But how would Bhagwant Mann understand? A man who: Abandoned his first wife and children Mocks martyrdom Insults Veer Naris and the Indian Army Mocks sacred symbols women wear with pride," the post continued. Punjab BJP's chief spokesperson, Pritpal Singh Baliawal, also reacted strongly, calling Mann's comment 'shamelessness wearing a CM's turban." 'You haven't insulted BJP, Mr. Mann — You've insulted every soldier's widow, every grieving wife, and the spirit of Bharat. Bhagwant Mann must RESIGN immediately and APOLOGISE to the entire nation," Baliawal stated. Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, in which 26 civilians were killed. In a pre-dawn strike on 7 May, Indian armed forces targeted nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Key targets included Jaish-e-Mohammad's base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's headquarters in Muridke.
