Sapkal attacks Fadnavis govt over actor safety after attack on Tiger Shroff

After the deadly attack on actor Tiger Shroff, the question of security has come to the fore even in a city like Mumbai. In the past few years, Bollywood artistes and political leaders in Mumbai have faced life-threatening attacks. The Opposition has therefore put the state government on the spot, angrily asking what exactly the police machinery and the state government are doing. The safety of artistes has now become a major issue in political debate.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal sharply criticised the Mahayuti government in the state and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the matter. He made a serious allegation that it was impossible for gangsters to grow this bold without the political backing of those in power.

Speaking to the media at Tilak Bhavan, Sapkal raised the issue of the safety of film industry artistes. He said, "Bollywood and the film industry, the pride of Mumbai, are now thinking of leaving Mumbai for other states or even going abroad to save their lives and for reasons of safety. This is a great cultural and economic loss for Maharashtra."

Sapkal went on to say, "If gangsters sitting in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat are directly controlling the film industry, what exactly are the police and the BJP-led Mahayuti government doing? It is impossible for gangsters to grow this bold without the political backing of those in power." With these words he accused the ruling side.

Pointing to the law and order situation in Mumbai and across Maharashtra, Sapkal targeted Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He demanded that Fadnavis resign if he cannot bring crime under control.

Sapkal also mentioned that the All Indian Cine Workers Association has made a demand to the Union Home Minister for the safety of artistes.

At the same event, Nasru Shaikh, sub-division chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction in Kalyan, joined the Congress along with his supporters, according to a statement. Aslam Soyan and other office-bearers and workers also joined the party. State president Harshwardhan Sapkal welcomed the new members.

It will now be important to see what steps the government takes on the question of Bollywood's security, and what official response emerges to the allegations made by Sapkal.