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]]>According to the complaint, the film includes dialogues and scenes that allegedly promote caste based humiliation. It has been stated that the film’s title itself appears to be designed to demean a specific community. The controversy intensified after promotional content circulated on streaming platforms and social media, triggering strong reactions from various sections of society.
In Prayagraj, members of the Rashtriya Parashuram Sena Brahmavahini staged a protest and burned an effigy of the film’s producer at Subhash Chauraha. In Varanasi, Brahmin groups gathered at the Ahilyabai Ghat to demonstrate against the film. Protesters demanded an immediate change to the film’s title and strict action against those responsible.
Political reactions also added to the controversy. Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the content visible on OTT platforms reflects the preferences of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. He claimed that platforms showcase material aligned with government interests while films and television shows critical of the government face restrictions.
Further escalation occurred after warnings were issued that symbolic rituals would be conducted for actor Manoj Bajpayee and others associated with the film as a mark of protest. Senior police officials in Lucknow confirmed that legal action would be taken based on evidence presented in the case. Authorities stated that investigations would proceed against the film’s director and production team in accordance with the law.
Law enforcement agencies have maintained heightened vigilance to prevent any breach of public order as tensions remain high in several districts.
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The State Investigation Agency carried out searches on Thursday, at the main office of Kashmir Times in Jammu as part of its ongoing investigation into accusations that the platform promoted separatist and extremist narratives.
According to the agency, arms, ammunition and documents considered incriminating, were recovered from the media organisation’s premises on Residency Road. The management of Kashmir Times condemned the operation and described it as an effort to curb independent reporting.
Political parties including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party criticised the raid, alleging that it was designed to pressure the media. The agency maintained that the action was linked to an existing case filed against the digital platform for allegedly collaborating with separatist groups, inside and outside Jammu and Kashmir. The original case claims the outlet spread radical messaging, circulated fabricated content, encouraged youth radicalisation and attempted to disturb public order in ways that threatened national sovereignty.
The agency reported that one revolver, multiple empty cartridges of AK-series weapons, live rounds, fired bullets, grenade safety levers and suspected pistol ammunition were seized from the office.
The SIA said these findings suggested possible unlawful possession and potential connections with extremist elements and that the items would undergo further examination. A team of fourteen officials also searched the residence of Prabodh Jamwal, the owner of the publication, in Gandhi Nagar during the day-long operation.
The agency stated that the seized weapons, digital devices and documents would be subjected to technical and forensic analysis to trace their origins and determine whether they were linked to banned groups or individuals. The Kashmir Times management issued a strong rebuttal soon after, calling the allegations an orchestrated effort to silence them.
Editors Prabodh Jamwal and Anuradha Bhasin, speaking from abroad, argued that criticising the government should not be equated with being hostile to the state and reaffirmed their commitment to independent journalism.
They said the publication, founded in 1954, was being targeted because it refused to compromise its editorial independence.
Earlier this year the Jammu and Kashmir administration prohibited the circulation of Bhasin’s book titled “Dismantled State The Untold Story of Kashmir After 370,” a move widely questioned by political groups. The NC and PDP said the latest action against the newspaper fit a broader pattern of suppressing independent media voices. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary urged authorities to ensure that any punitive measure must be based on proven wrongdoing rather than an attempt to create pressure. He emphasised that investigative agencies should follow uniform standards and reiterated the need for a free and open environment for journalism, calling it essential to a functioning democracy.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti said Kashmir Times had consistently resisted pressure and intimidation, describing the raid as an example of heavy-handedness disguised as a national security measure. She questioned the repeated use of labels such as anti-national to silence dissenting voices. PDP youth president Aditya Gupta also criticised the operation, referring to the legacy of the newspaper’s founder. Although its print edition was halted in 2021–22 following what the management described as sustained targeting, Kashmir Times continues to publish digitally.
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