Maha Congress demands Uddhav Thackeray to stop release of movie 'Why I killed Gandhi'

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress on Monday appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to ban the film "Why I Killed Gandhi", set to release on various OTT platforms on January 30, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

Shooting off a letter to CM Thackeray, state Congress President Nana Patole said Mahatma Gandhi's ideology of truth, peace and non-violence is respected all over the world and his death anniversary is observed globally as the day symbolising his teachings.

"If the film 'Why I Killed Gandhi' is allowed to be released on the day of Gandhiji's assassination, it would give strength to the fascist forces. Hence, we request you to kindly order a ban on the movie," Patole said.

'On one hand, Gandhiji's death anniversary is observed for non-violence and peace. On the other hand, 'Why I killed Gandhi' is being released. This will give strength to racist tendencies, Patole added

'The Indian culture has always opposed inhuman acts. This is why this movie should not be released in state's theatres and OTT platforms', Patole stated in his letter.

Similarly, the All India Cine Workers Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a total ban on the film, which 'seeks to glorify Gandhiji's assassin Nathuram Godse, and its exhibition would shock the people'.

The film features Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Amol Kolhe in the role of Godse, sparking friction among the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress since the past few days.

The AICWA sought a complete ban on the film's release as it seeks to "glorifies Godse, a traitor and killer of the Father of the Nation".

As the film ignited a massive controversy in state political circles last week, Kolhe said that he had acted in the film way back in 2017, and he had also informed the NCP leadership before leaving the Sena to join it.

Though Congress has strongly opposed the film, the Shiv Sena has adopted a neutral stance, while the NCP feels it should be viewed creatively as freedom of expression. NCP chief Sharad Pawar had supported Kolhe, saying the latter's decision to act in that movie should be seen as an artist's choice.

"If he played that role, it doesn't mean he subscribes to Godse's ideology or views," Pawar had told media on Friday.

Patole also hit out at the BJP-led Union government for dropping Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn "Abide With Me" from this year's Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29.

"Abide With Me", written by Scottish Anglican poet and hymnologist Henry Francis Lyte in 1847, has been part of the Beating Retreat ceremony since 1950.

For this year's ceremony, the hymn has been replaced by the popular patriotic song "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon", which was written by Kavi Pradeep to commemorate the supreme sacrifice made by Indian soldiers during the 1962 Indo-China war

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has said that there is nothing wrong if Kolhe plays the role of Godse.