Death of cow given more significance than that of police officer: Naseeruddin Shah
Mumbai, Dec 20: In an apparent reference to the recent mob violence, actor Naseeruddin Shah said at many places the death of a cow is being given more importance than the killing of a policeman.
The veteran actor also expressed anxiety over the well-being of his children, who he said have not been brought up as followers of any particular religion.
Shah made the comments in a video interview with Karwan-e-Mohabbat India and the organisation shared it on its YouTube channel on Monday.
The actor said the "poison has already spread" and it will be now difficult to contain it.
"It will be very difficult to capture this djinn back into the bottle again. There is complete impunity for those who take law into their own hands. In many areas we are witnessing that the death of a cow is more significance than that of a police officer," he added.
Shah, who is married to actor Ratna Pathak Shah, said they chose not to give any religious education to their children -- Imaad and Vivaan -- as he believes "being good or evil has nothing to do with religion".
His fear for his children's safety is reminiscent of Aamir Khan's comments on intolerance in 2015 that had sparked a major controversy.
"I had received religious education as a child. Ratna (his wife) was from a liberal household so she received next to none. And we chose not to give religious education to our children because I believe being good or evil has nothing to do with religion.
"We taught them about good and bad, what our beliefs are. I did make them learn a few verses from the Quran Sharif, as I believe reciting them improves one's articulation. Just like one's articulation improves reading from the Ramayana or Mahabharata from its original..." Shah added.
The actor is worried that the situation would not improve "anytime soon" and said he is angry, not scared.
"I feel anxious for my children because tomorrow if a mob surrounds them and asks, 'Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?' they will have no answer. It worries me that I don't see the situation improving anytime soon.
"These matters don't scare me, they make me angry. And I feel every right-thinking man should feel angry, not scared. This is our home, who dare evict us from here?" he said.
On December 3, a mob, including right-wing activists, attacked a police station over alleged cow slaughter in the areas. The incident led to the deaths of Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and another man.
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Pranavananda Swamiji urges Cong to make Shivakumar Karnataka CM
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): Pranavananda Swamiji, president of the forum of heads of the most backward class maths, urged the Congress high command on Sunday to immediately appoint Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as the CM of Karnataka.
Warning that the Congress would face “consequences” if Shivakumar is not made CM, he said a group of 25 swamijis plans to visit New Delhi to present the demand to the party high command.
Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that both he and CM Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
The remarks come amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results of assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
“The CM chair issue is ongoing in the state. As president of the Mahasabha of swamijis of the most backward class maths in the state, I demand that D K Shivakumar be made CM immediately. It has been about three years since this government came to power, and several timelines have been set, such as Sankranti, Ugadi, and the five-state elections,” Pranavananda Swamiji said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the situation appears to be “insulting” to Shivakumar.
“Shivakumar took over as KPCC president when no one was willing to accept the post and brought the party to power. He was promised the CM post in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K C Venugopal. Now, why is the party hesitating to fulfil that promise? This is not right,” he said.
Swamiji said he was not denying that Siddaramaiah is a “big leader” of backward communities, but added that Siddaramaiah has already served as CM for about eight years, including five years in his first term.
“We cannot say that backward classes have received significant benefits. Even the recent state budget did not do much for backward class communities,” he said, alleging that these communities have not significantly benefited under Siddaramaiah.
Urging the Congress high command to immediately make Shivakumar the CM, Pranavananda Swamiji warned that otherwise the party would face “serious consequences” in the state.
He said the Mahasabha of swamijis will meet Shivakumar and, after discussions, about 25 swamijis will travel to Delhi.
“Shivakumar’s contribution to most backward communities is immense. He has been an MLA about eight times and a minister several times. Why is he not being given the CM post? He has worked for the party and deserves recognition—this is my demand to the Congress high command,” he added.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by reports of a “power-sharing” arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
