Two Mann Ki Baat events in Chandrapur; message to law students sparks row

A fresh controversy has arisen in Chandrapur over the Mann Ki Baat programme on Sunday, October 25. Women students of a law college in the city were sent a message asking them to attend the programme. The message also said a penalty would be imposed for staying absent. The college management's side could not be ascertained.

On the occasion of the 139th episode of the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat, MLAs Sudhir Mungantiwar and Kishor Jorgewar held separate events. In other words, arrangements were made at two places in Chandrapur for the same programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began Mann Ki Baat on October 3, 2014. It is broadcast on All India Radio on the last Sunday of every month. It covers dialogue with the people of the country, social initiatives, inspiring people in society, positive developments in the country, cleanliness, the environment, women's empowerment and subjects related to the country's development. The programme has run continuously for the past 12 years.

After a decade, people are now turning away from the programme. BJP workers listen to it mainly to please their leader. The programme is not live and its script is prepared in advance. So that Mann Ki Baat would be visible in Chandrapur, both MLAs organised separate events.

Both MLAs wanted the event to look grand, but the question was how to gather a crowd. Meanwhile, Mungantiwar appealed through the party to various colleges and prominent citizens to take part in the programme.

On the other side, a message was sent on behalf of Jorgewar to women students of Shantaram Potdukhe Law College asking them to attend. The college principal told the students over WhatsApp to come to the Mann Ki Baat programme organised at Jorgewar's office. A warning was also given that a penalty would be imposed for absence.

Discussion then began over whether students were being forced to attend the programme. Many people say that people in power today cannot be asked direct questions and that students are being lathi-charged. In such an atmosphere, many people have objected to students in Chandrapur being compelled to attend the programme.