MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY OVER PADMAVATI

Apropos the motivated and carefully nurtured controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, I am reminded of some old blockbusters like Anarkali, and Mughal-e-azam, and the more recent Jodhaa Akbar all depicting the majestic niceties, graces and undercurrents of the Mughal empire. I don’t remember any hullabaloo or agitation from any quarter during their production or release. It has to be said that the noise and protests over the movie are orchestrated for political gains.

Mohan Singh, via email though, was the beautiful lady’s graceful and intelligent response. One can only hope that our youth can restore our country’s amazing culture of tolerance.

Ojas Singh Malhi, Bathinda notes in banks and markets remains a concern. The RBI and the finance ministry have declared that notes in ₹50 and ₹200 denomination have been released. These are, however, in short supply. The government’s silence on shortage of new currency is strange.

Puneet Mehta, Patiala leader. At a time, when the ruling BJP is working for a ‘Congress-mukt’ Bharat, he faces the Herculean task of reviving and rejuvenating the party to restore its status of the ‘natural party of government’, as it was known as in its heyday. Rahul is pitched as the party’s best hope of recapturing the pre-eminence it has enjoyed for decades.

SC Dhall, Zirakpur expression seem to ignore the key prerequisite that it cannot be unlimited. The freedom of an individual ends, where the freedom of other individual starts and nobody can be allowed to infringe upon the freedom of other individuals. People should voluntarily draw their boundary, otherwise authorities are duty-bound to draw it for them to safeguard the freedom of other individuals.

AK Sharma, Chandigarh