In a recent speech in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the Congress party of banning books and movies that criticized the Nehru-Gandhi family, as well as imprisoning prominent figures in the entertainment industry during their rule. Sitharaman’s comments were part of a broader debate on the political and cultural censorship that occurred under the leadership of the Congress party.
Source:- news 18
Allegations of Censorship
Sitharaman claimed that during the Congress government’s tenure, any criticism of the Nehru-Gandhi family was silenced through the banning of books and films. She highlighted specific instances, including the banning of certain books that offered critical perspectives on Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. The minister asserted that this was part of a broader effort to control public narratives and suppress dissent.
Source:- bbc news
Imprisonment of Cultural Icons
The Finance Minister also referred to the imprisonment of notable figures like poet Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni. According to Sitharaman, these individuals were jailed for speaking out against the policies of the Congress government. Sultanpuri, known for his revolutionary poetry, and Sahni, a renowned actor and social activist, were both outspoken critics, which led to their arrests during the Emergency period of 1975-77.
Political and Cultural Repression
Sitharaman’s remarks were aimed at highlighting the alleged authoritarian tendencies of the Congress party, especially during Indira Gandhi’s leadership. She emphasized that the current government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi promotes freedom of expression and allows for open critique, contrasting it with the Congress party’s past record of political repression.
The speech reignited discussions on India’s political history, censorship, and the fine balance between government authority and individual freedoms.
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