Ayodhya (UP), Dec 21: Amid a controversy over a song from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Pathaan', the head priest of a temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday said he would "burn alive" the actor.
Khan and his film 'Pathaan' are facing backlash for showing Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini in the song 'Besharam Rang'. Protests have been staged in various parts of the country alleging a community had been offended by the song's content.
Those who have demanded a ban on the film include Madhya Pradesh minister Narrottam Mishra and Vishva Hindu Parishad spokesperson Vinod Bansal. The Madhya Pradesh Ulema Board has also sought a ban on the film for "misrepresenting Islam".
Speaking on the issue, Paramhans Acharya of the Tapaswi Chawni Temple said, "I will burn alive 'jihadi' Shah Rukh Khan, the producer and the director of the film.
"The owners of the YouTube channel where the song is being played (available) will be given the same punishment."
The seer went on to add, "Deepika Padukone, the actress who is seen donning saffron clothes in the scene, will be pardoned on the grounds of being a Hindu woman. She will be given a chance to realise her sins and to beg pardon from holy seers."
Amid the controversy, the Bollywood megastar said last week that whatever happened surrounding people like him, they would remain positive. He decried how social media was often driven by certain narrowness of views, "making it divisive and destructive."
Addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Khan said, "Hamare jaise positive log zinda hai (We are positive and alive)."
This is seen as a response to the criticism of the film.
‘I’ll burn #ShahRukhKhan𓀠 alive”
— YSR (@ysathishreddy) December 20, 2022
Can we expect any action on this man for giving such threat statements? Definitely not says the record of #ModiGovt 🙏 pic.twitter.com/hlqRsOtU6J
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New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.