Breaking a 72-year tradition of National Film Awards with a ceremony in Kevadiya......; “Why only Gujarat”…?
MNS President Raj Thackeray hurls a thunderous question at the Centre.........! Raj Thackeray's appeal to artists—Raise your voice now......!
Mumbai, dated 10 (Anant Nalavde) – Why is there a sudden need to shift the long‑standing tradition of the National Film Awards, rooted in the nation's capital for more than seven decades, to Gujarat’s Kevadiya? Raising this question, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday launched a scathing attack in blunt terms on the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah at the Centre. He asked why every matter labelled “national” is gradually turning its focus towards Gujarat, and stressed that this is not merely a question about the venue of an awards ceremony but a serious issue concerning the country’s cultural and political centre of gravity.
“Why Gujarat?” … That is a simple question! If the awards ceremony is to be held outside Delhi, why not Mumbai? Why not Maharashtra, the birthplace of Indian cinema pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke? Why not consider Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which have vibrant film industries? Why only Kevadiya? Thackeray posed this blunt and pointed question.
While Maharashtra’s contribution to the nation’s film history is indisputable, the government must answer why the opportunity to host the National Awards in Maharashtra is not being given.
Say “national” and point to Gujarat! The Commonwealth Games are in Gujarat, the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup is slated for Gujarat, foreign heads of state are given special itineraries in Gujarat, and major economic projects linked to Mumbai are being tilted towards Gujarat. Seeing this series of decisions, isn’t there an attempt to make Gujarat the focal point of every major national undertaking? Thackeray raised this distinctly political question in his characteristic style.
In his view, India’s progress is not the monopoly of any single state. The nation stands on the sacrifices of many generations and on the labour, industry, art, culture and contributions of every province. Therefore, if a particular state is repeatedly given the platform for nationally significant events to craft a distinct political message, it is essential to question that practice, Thackeray emphasized.
“Should we shape history or merely shift its location?” … “If you cannot create anything yourself, change the names, change the places, and claim a new history,” Thackeray retorted. He warned that if important institutions, traditions and national programmes in the country’s history are increasingly placed within a framework of geographic politics, there is a danger that even the meaning of the word “national” could change tomorrow.
Today the awards are in Kevadiya…; will tomorrow the criterion be that the venue for national awards must be in Gujarat? He posed this sarcastic question as well.
Political implication | The cultural expansion of the “Gujarat model”…? The controversy may not be limited to film awards alone. Preference given to Gujarat in areas such as economic investment, sports, international events and now national cultural platforms could be framed as a political narrative by opponents. Is there an attempt to inscribe the nation’s economic and cultural grandeur on the name of a single state? This question could be especially sensitive for Maharashtra and the southern states.
However, it is equally important to clarify the central government’s official reason for shifting the awards ceremony to Kevadiya. Hence, the political question raised by Thackeray must also receive an official response from the government.
Artists, now open your mouths…! Raj Thackeray has called on artists across the country to take a stand on this issue. While performers are quick to sing songs praising the government, he criticized them for remaining silent on matters of cultural tradition and institutional autonomy.
“The issue is not whether the venue is Kevadiya or another city…; artists must speak about why the bright tradition of these awards in the nation’s capital is being broken,” Thackeray urged. He argued that if Maharashtra and the southern states do not adopt a firm stance on this matter, the question of regional balance in future national‑level cultural decisions could become even more serious.
Gujarati brethren, do not be fooled by these tricks…!
Thackeray directly appealed to the Gujarati community, warning that after the era of tickling power exercised because linguistic leaders have authority ends, the tickling of an elephant could become possible, a poignant remark he attached. At the same time, he hinted that because of such sub‑division, citizens and leaders of other states in the country will now keep account of the impact on their states, industries and commercial interests.
“The nation is not against Gujarat; but if anyone starts defining ‘the nation is Gujarat’, they must be questioned!” …!
Box ……
Raj Thackeray’s direct questions:
1. What is the reason for breaking a 72‑year tradition…? 2. Why Kavadia instead of Delhi…? 3. Why is there no opportunity for Dadasaheb Phalke’s Maharashtra…? 4. Why is the contribution of the southern film industry not considered…? 5. Why Gujarat for every national programme…?
Now, having clarified today the stark role of Raj Thackeray, the question of what comes next has arisen, leading to the centre’s clarification → artists’ role → Maharashtra’s reaction → opposition of southern states → a new discussion on the decentralisation of ‘national’ programmes, creating a chain of many new sub‑questions.
The question of national awards is not only “where”…? That is not all; the real question is “why”…? And who will answer that “why”…? That is the genuine fundamental question.
National
