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Raj Purohit claims Congress ignored Shah Rukh Khan for awards, while BJP honored him for Jawan on merit. Bhai Jagtap alleges BJP used the award for Bihar election gains.
President Droupadi Murmu presents the award for ‘Best Actor’ to Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. (PTI)
Former BJP MLA Raj Purohit stated that Congress-led governments never gave any awards to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, while his party evaluates the actor solely on merit.
The Opposition party, on the other hand, claimed that the government thought of honouring the actor with a national award for the first time in the past 11 years only because of the assembly elections in Bihar.
Many people felt that the Congress overlooked Shah Rukh Khan all these years, news agency PTI quoted BJP leader Purohit as saying.
Khan got the national award for best actor for his role in “Jawan”, sharing it with “12th Fail” star Vikrant Massey.
Purohit said that the BJP never judged the actor based on religion but recognised his talent and performances.
Shah Rukh winning the award counters the accusation that the BJP practices caste or religious discrimination, he added.
The saffron party believes in unity, meritocracy and capability, he said.
Congress leader from the city and Member of Maharashtra legislative council, Bhai Jagtap, accused the ruling BJP of politicising the national awards for electoral gains.
“You did not give him a national award in these eleven years. Why suddenly now? Is it because of the Bihar elections or the Maharashtra (local body) elections?” said Jagtap, speaking to PTI Videos.
Khan is a cultural asset for the country, he said, extending congratulations to the actor, but added that the timing and political narrative around the award were questionable.
The BJP first polarised society and “silenced” the Muslims, but suddenly remembered Shah Rukh Khan because of the coming Bihar assembly elections, the Congress legislator said.
“The only motive behind honouring Shah Rukh Khan is elections,” Jagtap asserted.
(With inputs from PTI)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 25, 2025, 12:19 IST
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