Bollywood reacts to Rahul's 'jaadu ki jhappi' to Modi
Mumbai, July 21 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi's 'jaadu ki jhappi' moment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the parliament drew mixed reactions from the Indian film fraternity, who found the "theatrics" worth a comment or two.
Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan tweeted: "No wonder Indian theatre audience is diminishing. We are no match for Parliament performances."
Gandhi on Friday surprised the Lok Sabha when after bitterly criticising the BJP-led government during the no-confidence motion, he walked across and hugged an unwilling Modi. To top that, he also winked as he looked at a party colleague -- reminding the Twitter world of actress Priya Prakash Warrier who became a 'national trend' with her mischievous smile and wink in a song from Malayalam film "Oru Adaar Love".
"Wink! Wink! Hug! Hug! Nudge! Nudge! More Jaadu ki jhappi please," Shobhaa De, who then called Gandhi's gesture the "hug of the decade".
"What a jhappi, Rahul! Hope it works its jaadu on recipient. Who's next on the hug fest? Just shows hugs are not the PM's monopoly," De said, pointing at Modi's knack for hugging world leaders.
While displeased Speaker Sumitra Mahajan underlined that the code of conduct inside the House did not approve of Gandhi's behaviour, some Bollywood celebrities questioned what was odd.
Filmmaker Vinod Kapri tweeted: "Hugging and spreading love is against the spirit of parliament norms? Surprised!"
Composer Vishal Dadlani wrote: "What's childish about a hug? It was sorta sweet, actually. BJP should accept it with grace and perhaps send some love back, instead of being negative and churlish. Also, it would be more becoming of the government to answer each point Rahul made pre-hug. That's what we want to hear."
Ad filmmaker Ram Subramanian said the problem with the hug was that it was a "a forced one" and sent "the wrong message".
Actor Ranvir Shorey wasn't happy with Gandhi's hug to Modi either.
"ROFL! Just what India needs. Another privileged and entitled brat giving out 'jaadu ki jhappis' when cornered," tweeted Ranvir, who was also upset about how the media for pegging the no-confidence motion on Gandhi's hug "instead of holding him responsible for turning parliament into a theatre".
"Parliament: The only place where one hugs people one has no confidence in," Ranvir quipped further.
For TV tsarina Ekta Kapoor, known for some of the most dramatic shows on the Indian small screen, "Hug it out is the new sort it out" after Gandhi's act.
Actor Rajkummar Rao thought July 20 could officially be made "Hug Day".
Today is official,”Hug day.” ??
— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) July 20, 2018
Hug it out is the new sort it out
— Ekta Kapoor (@ektaravikapoor) July 21, 2018
What's childish about a hug? It was sorta sweet, actually. BJP should accept it with grace & perhaps send some love back, instead of being negative and churlish. Also, it would be more becoming of the govt. to answer each point Rahul made pre-hug. That's what we want to hear. https://t.co/Bl2gM8osPI
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) July 20, 2018
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Waqf board claims ownership of 53 historic monuments in Karnataka
Hubballi: The Karnataka Waqf Board has claimed ownership of 53 historical monuments across the state, including notable sites like Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and Bara Kaman in Vijayapura. In 2005, the Waqf Board declared 43 of these sites in Vijayapura, once the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty, as Waqf properties. However, these sites have since faced encroachments and unauthorised modifications.
According to records obtained through an RTI, the Waqf Board designated these 43 sites as Waqf properties using Record of Rights (ROR) documents, though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the recognised custodian of these protected sites. “While ASI is the holder of the land/monument, the encumbrance is the Waqf authority. This has been done without consulting ASI,” says the RTI response from the Union government.
This declaration was made by Mohammad Mohsin, who held dual roles as Vijayapura’s Deputy Commissioner and Waqf Board Chairman at the time.
“I don’t remember how many monuments were declared as Waqf properties. But whatever I have done is according to the government gazette notification issued by the Revenue Department and authentic documentary evidence produced by the parties,” said Mohsin.
Many of these monuments, designated as nationally significant heritage sites since 1914, are officially under ASI’s care as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958). ASI asserts that "once an ASI property, it is always an ASI property," meaning their ownership is non-transferable. However, sources report that several of these sites have been defaced, unscientifically renovated, or altered with elements like air conditioners, fluorescent lighting, and even commercial and residential structures, impacting their historical integrity and tourism appeal.
“Monuments are the living examples of our history. Monuments can be renovated/conserved in the prescribed manner only by ASI. However, the 43 monuments in Vijayapura are being defaced and are being repaired with plaster and cement. Fans, air conditioners, fluorescent lights and toilets are being added to the monuments. Shopkeepers have taken over certain properties. This is adversely impacting the flow of tourists to these monuments,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.
Since 2007, the Ministry of Culture has repeatedly requested the state authorities to clear encroachments on these sites. Despite a joint survey in 2012, ASI officials report that neither the Waqf Board nor the Vijayapura Deputy Commissioner’s office has provided adequate documentation to substantiate Waqf’s ownership claim. ASI officials, under directives to avoid commenting on the issue publicly, maintain that their ownership under the AMASR Act remains unchangeable.
