Actor Rahul Solapurkar now faces flak over remarks on Ambedkar; apologises
Pune, Feb 9 (PTI): A fresh row erupted on Sunday after actor Rahul Solapurkar described Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar as a "Brahmin" in the Vedic context of gaining knowledge, days after his podcast on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj triggered protests.
Amid the backlash, Solapurkar apologised, expressing regret over his choice of words concerning Ambedkar, the social reformer and chief architect of India’s Constitution.
In a video that surfaced on social media, the actor claimed Ambedkar was born to Ramji Sakpal in a Bahujan family. Later, he was adopted by his teacher who gave him his surname, he said.
"In the Vedas, it is said that a man who gains knowledge becomes a Brahmin. In that sense, Ambedkar was Brahmin because he gained knowledge," said the actor.
NCP (SP) legislator Jitendra Awhad rebuked Solapurkar over his remarks.
Sharing the video on X, Awhad said, “Rahul Solapurkar has now crossed all limits. He should be beaten with shoes wherever he is seen. It is people like him, driven by casteist ideologies, who have ruined Maharashtra and the country,” said Awhad.
Facing criticism, Solapurkar, who has appeared in several Marathi films, tendered an apology over his remarks about Ambedkar.
“I have given multiple lectures on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Babasaheb Ambedkar. I am completely unaware of why such videos are being circulated on social media. Once again, I apologise to everybody for the remarks I made. In future, I will not make any incorrect statements about national icons,” he said.
Days ago, the actor had sparked a row with his comments in a podcast about Shivaji Maharaj's great escape in 1666.
Solapurkar had said that the iconic 17th-century warrior king escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's officials, and not by concealing himself in a basket of sweets as per the popular account.
After protests by Maratha outfits, Solapurkar resigned as a trustee of the Pune-based Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) and said he regretted using the word “bribe” and hurting the sentiments of those who revere Chhatrapati Shivaji.
राहुल सोलापूरकरने आता सर्वच मर्यादा ओलांडल्या आहेत. हा जिथे दिसेल तिथेच त्याला जोड्याने मारायला हवा. याच्यासारख्या मनुवाद्यांनीच महाराष्ट्राचे , देशाचे वाटोळे केले आहे. राहुल सोलापूरकरने छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज यांच्याबाबत केलेल्या वक्तव्याबद्दल माफी मागितलेली नाही. आता तर डाॅ… pic.twitter.com/DHfhVgohqe
— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) February 9, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MYAS launches quiz on national flag, 25 top-scorers to get trip to Siachen with Mandaviya
New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has launched an online quiz on the national flag and 25 top-scoring participants in the age bracket of 21 to 29 will get an opportunity to visit Siachen with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The quiz, according to the ministry, will "foster patriotism and enhance awareness about the Indian National Flag."
"This online quiz, hosted on the MYBharat portal (mybharat.gov.in), invites all citizen to participate and test their knowledge about the Tricolour," the ministry stated.
It will consist of multiple-choice questions and all contestants will be awarded an e-certificate.
"As a grand incentive, 25 top-scoring participants will be selected for a remarkable opportunity to visit Siachen in the company of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya," the ministry said.
"The selection of winners for the Siachen visit will be limited to youth between the ages of 21 and 29. The final selection of the 25 winners will be conducted through a computer-based lottery system from the pool of top scorers," it added.
