Amitabh Bachchan Archives - Voice from the rooftop

Rajya Sabha nominations

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Vincent Augustine D'Souza

Rajya Sabha nomination is not an award or a prize or a title. Article 80 of the constitution prescribes that a person to be nominated to Rajya Sabha should have special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art and social service.

Over the years many people have been nominated to Rajya Sabha in violation of the constitution. Mani Shankar Aiyar lost Lok Sabha election, he was nominated. Kuldip Nayyar was a journalist. Fali Nariman was a lawyer. Chandan Mitra, Shobhana Bhartia and Cho Ramaswamy were journalists.

Bharata Ratna candidates

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Vincent Augustine D'Souza

The decision of the government to change the rule for eligibility to get Bharata Ratna has stirred a debate and opened the floodgates with demands for Bharata Ratna for various persons. Formerly it was for art, literature, public service and science. Now it is for any field in human endeavour. The change came about because sport was not a category for which Bharata Ratna was given and many people wanted Sachin Tendulkar should get Bharata Ratna.

There are people who feel all national awards should be abolished because they are political. They are few. There are those who say giving Bharata Ratna for sport will devalue Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna which was equivalent to Bharata Ratna and if someone is given Bharata Ratna for sport all sportspersons who got Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna will feel humiliated. Sachin Tendulkar has got Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Since sport is included for Bharata Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna should be abolished.

Relevance of CBFC

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Vincent Augustine D'Souza

The controversy about Aarakshan has raised the question of relevance of CBFC. Once CBFC certifies a film there should be no problem about its release anywhere in India. However many people without seeing the film want the film to be banned. Some want special screening for them. It is bad for anyone to do that but worse when people in power do that. It is unpardonable for the home minister of state to say that films should be shown to certain politicians. It is unpardonable for other ministers to demand special screening and they will decide what should be shown. States should have no power to ban a CBFC certified film and those who create law and order problem should be strictly dealt with.

Amitabh Bachchan and Congress

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Vincent Augustine D'Souza

If Congress is serious about its opposition to riots it should expel Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler.
When Amitabh Bachchan faced problems from MNS the law did not take its course in Maharashtra which had a Congress chief minister.
Ashok Chavan faced criticism from some Congress members for sharing the dais with Amitabh Bachchan at the inauguration of second Bandra-Worli Sea Link. After that Congress members avoided Amitabh Bachchan at Marathi literary festival, Poona. Narendra Modi called Congress members talibans of untouchability.