Gunjan Chaudhary
Lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir has once again made strong political and cultural remarks, this time targeting Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav while also questioning the way the Hindi film industry portrays religion. In a recent interview with ABP, Muntashir spoke about the controversy surrounding alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple and made sharp comments about the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Speaking about the Ram Temple issue, Muntashir accused those associated with the earlier Ayodhya episode of having a record that, according to him, cannot simply be erased.
Manoj Muntashir
Manoj Muntashir Took A Dig At Akhilesh Yadav
Referring to the 1990 police firing during the Ayodhya movement under the then Mulayam Singh Yadav government, he said he did not want to listen to people whom he accused of having made rivers of blood and called Akhilesh the most false Ram devotee. These are Muntashir’s characterisations, rather than an established finding about Akhilesh Yadav.
Manoj Muntashir
He further said that the controversy over alleged theft of temple offerings should be investigated and that whoever is responsible should be punished, regardless of political affiliation. Muntashir also said he was not concerned about criticism from the Samajwadi Party over his comments. Muntashir then turned his attention to Bollywood, making an equally sweeping claim about the industry. He said “the entire film industry is leftist” and alleged that Sanatan traditions have often been portrayed as corrupt while another religious community has been shown more positively.
Manoj Muntashir
He also claimed that people with his ideological perspective face difficulties in surviving within the industry. These statements reflect Muntashir’s personal assessment of the film industry; the reports do not provide independent evidence establishing his broader claim about the entire industry.
Akhilesh Yadav
The lyricist has recently been vocal on several issues involving religion, culture and nationalism. During a youth religious parliament in Ujjain, he also spoke about the ongoing ‘Vande Mataram’ debate, arguing that the song should be performed in its entirety. Muntashir’s latest comments have therefore added another chapter to his growing list of outspoken statements on politics, religion and the entertainment industry. Whether his remarks trigger responses from Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party or members of the film fraternity remains to be seen.