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Congress changes stand on Fanaa

Manas Dasgupta

No difference of opinion with Aamir Khan on rehabilitation: PCC

AHMEDABAD: The Congress has virtually changed its stand on the release of the Aamir Khan starrer Fanaa in Gujarat.

Pradesh Congress spokesman Hasmukh Patel on Thursday said that in a democracy it should be left to the people to decide whether or not to see a film and no attempt should be made by authorities to ban the screening.

Earlier the Congress, along with the Bharatiya Janata Party, supported the decision by the cinema theatres association not to screen the film— a decision taken to teach Mr. Khan a "lesson" for his "uncalled-for support" to the anti-Narmada dam campaign.

Now Mr. Patel claimed: "Mr. Khan only supported the demand for proper rehabilitation of the dam affected and did not oppose construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project as such. We are all for proper rehabilitation of the dam affected and there is no difference between us and the Bollywood hero on the issue."

Mr Patel alleged that the BJP was against the release of the film in Gujarat only because Mr. Khan was a Muslim.

A similar view was expressed by Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela earlier.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Modhavadia, even while suggesting that he was not for banning the movie, said if Mr. Khan was only advocating proper rehabilitation, there was no need for him to side with Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar, known for her anti-Narmada dam stand.

The State Youth Congress is for banning the movie. Its general secretary, Jagat Shukla, supported the decision of multiplex and cinema theatre owners not to screen the movie, due for release on Friday.

The decision was taken largely on an apprehension of attacks by BJP Yuva Morcha volunteers. Last month when Mr. Khan sided with the NBA, the Congress youth wing initiated an attack on a Vadodara cinema showing his Rang De Basanti. Now youth leaders are confused over the sudden change in the party's stand on the screening of Fanaa.

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Congress changes stand on Fanaa

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