Latest news with #VeeraSathidarSmrutiSamanvaySamiti
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pushpa, wife of late actor Veera Sathidar, booked over alleged ‘inflammatory' remarks at memorial event in Nagpur
The Maharashtra Police have booked social activist Pushpa Veera Sathidar, wife of the late actor and activist Veera Sathidar, and two others for alleged 'inflammatory' remarks at an event held in Nagpur on May 13. Veera Sathidar Smruti Samanvay Samiti and Samata Kala Manch, a prominent Ambedkarite cultural outfit, organised the event in memory of Veera Saathidar, in which an Urdu poem by Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz was recited. According to the police, they registered a case based on the complaint of a right-wing activist, Dattatraya Shirke, who alleged that this cultural programme featured provocative content with alleged Naxalite overtones. The complainant, who has been active in conducting health, education, and development initiatives in the Naxal-affected areas of Gadchiroli, described Samata Kala Manch as a radical group with a 'suspicious Naxal background.' According to the complaint filed at Sitabuldi police station in Nagpur, a member of Samata Kala Manch recited the controversial poem 'Hum Dekhenge' by Faiz Ahmad Faiz. He further alleged that a male speaker had made politically charged remarks, including references to 'fascism' and 'dictatorship,' and had called for shaking the metaphorical 'throne' of power in the country. The complainant claimed that such statements made during a public event were inflammatory and posed a threat to the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India. He alleged that the event was designed to mislead the public, disturb social harmony, and provoke unrest, and called on authorities to take legal action against the organisers and participants. Pushpa Sathidar and two others were booked under sections 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India) which has replaced 'sedition' in Indian Penal Code, 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 353 (circulation of false statements and rumors) and 3 (5) (liability of individuals when a criminal act is done in furtherance of a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 'The charges registered against Pushpa Sathidar are of serious nature. The investigation is currently ongoing, and any action will be taken only after its completion. No arrests have been made at this stage,' said Inspector Vitthalsingh Rajput. Born in 1960, Veera Sathidar is known for the national award-winning film, Court. He made a name for himself in almost every field, including arts, literature, the rebel movement, and acting. Veera Sathidar passed away in April 2021 in Nagpur.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
3 Face Anti-National Charges Over Faiz Poem At Filmmaker's Memorial
Nagpur: The recitation of Pakistani poet 's iconic couplet "Hum Dekhenge" at an event organised by activist in memory of her late husband and acclaimed filmmaker Veera Sathidar led to invoke the stringent (BNS) that charged her and two others with endangering sovereignty and integrity of the nation along with fomenting communal disharmony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The FIR at Sitabuldi police station late last week followed a complaint by a right-wing activist, Dattatreya Shirke, who accused her of anti-national activity, including raising anti-establishment chorus to target govt and trigger strife in society. Sitabuldi senior inspector Vithal Singh Rajput told TOI the case is under investigation, statements will be recorded, but no arrests have been made yet. "Section 152 of BNS was invoked as activities of the three persons tantamount to sedition under the erstwhile Indian Penal Code," said a police official, adding the participants have been under watch. Faiz's poem which mobilised traction on campuses during anti-CAA protests, has again sparked off controversy, days after 'Operation Sindoor'. With Maharashtra on the verge of passing the proposed Public Security Bill to tighten grip around subversive frontal organizations, there is surveillance on outfits whose activities fall in the ambit of anti-national platforms. Pushpa, under the banner of Veera Sathidar Smruti Samanvay Samiti, had organized a memorial programme for the late filmmaker, who played a stellar role in the film — 'Court' —India's official entry in the Academy Awards in 2016. Pushpa's programme was attended by members of Left organizations and socio-cultural platforms engaged in championing the rights of the oppressed. A participant of Samta Kala Manch, a socio-cultural platform, rendered the Urdu verses penned by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, underscoring defiance against the govt. As per the complaint, she was followed by another participant who claimed that such "songs were required in contemporary society, which is under an oppressive rule".
