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  India   Manohar Parrikar, Venkaiah Naidu flay MNS’ Rs 5 crore deal on ADHM

Manohar Parrikar, Venkaiah Naidu flay MNS’ Rs 5 crore deal on ADHM

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Oct 26, 2016, 7:22 am IST
Updated : Oct 26, 2016, 7:22 am IST

As the war of words escalated over the ‘donation of army fund’, senior Union ministers, Manohar Parrikar and Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of the Air Staff Arup Raha at the Air Force Commanders conference. (Photo: PTI)
 Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of the Air Staff Arup Raha at the Air Force Commanders conference. (Photo: PTI)

As the war of words escalated over the ‘donation of army fund’, senior Union ministers, Manohar Parrikar and Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s demand that the producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil must pay `5 crore to the Army welfare fund to ensure ADHM’s smooth release on Friday.

Defence minister Mr Parrikar said in Delhi: “The concept is of voluntary donation and not catching someone’s neck. We don’t appreciate it”. He said that the concept behind the newly-created Battle Casualty Fund was to ensure those who wanted to donate voluntarily for the welfare of the families of martyrs could do so.

Information and broadcasting minister Mr Naidu termed the MNS demand “wrong”, and said the government had nothing to do with it. “That was a wrong proposal. We don’t agree with their (MNS) proposal.”

Writer-director Karan Johar’s ADHM faced protests by MNS workers for casting Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The demand of a Rs 5-crore “penance” sparked strong reactions from the opposition parties and some Army veterans.

After drawing flak from all quarters over allegedly brokering a ‘settlement’ deal for the release of ADHM, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed that he does not believe in such methods. He also refuted charges that he allowed the MNS to take advantage of the situation.

Mr Fadnavis said he had opposed the offer of the Rs 5-crore contribution to the Army welfare fund, but defended his intervention to resolve the issue. “Democratic governments at times would even talk to separatists and ultras for the sake of peace,” he said.

Mr Fadnavis further added, “I am not the one who would do settlements. Maharashtra knows who are the people who do settlements. MNS may taken advantage of the situation politically, but it has nothing to do with me," Mr Fadnavis told The Asian Age.

The film's smooth release on October 28 was ensured at a meeting of Film Producers' Guild, producers and Mr Thackeray. It was mediated by Mr Fadnavis last week. On Monday, Fadnavis had said: "When the issue of Rs 5 crore came up, I intervened and made it clear to the Film Producers' Guild that they need not have to agree with it. I also told them that the contribution has to be made voluntarily. However, it was producers' decision to accept it".

The producers also agreed to include a tribute to Indian soldiers at the start of Karan Johar's film, as the so-called compromise triggered outrage with many describing Thackeray's monetary condition as "extortion". When asked if the BJP would ally with the MNS in future, the CM said, "Why would we do something like this for alliance " He was referring to media reports about the MNS' involvement in resolving the stalemate over the movie's release.

Clearing the air, Mr Fadnavis said, "The producers' guild had approached me and informed that the first few days are important for the movie after its release. They assured of not employing any Pakistani artists henceforth and paying tribute to the martyrs before the movie's screening. They also offered to contribute funds to the Army Welfare Board after Mr Thackeray asked them to do so. However, I told them that contributing such a huge amount is not compulsion and that an individual should pay willingly and as per his/her capacity."