Joining the raging controversy over film `Padmavati’ a tad late, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan said that all the Rajas, Maharajas and Nawabs were collaborators of British rulers.
"The erstwhile royalty of India were stooges of the British colonial power. During British period, the royals carried errands of colonial masters and exploited the populace of their respective states to finance the whims and fancies of their masters. Even as they have lost their royal status, they are opposing a feature film,’’ said Khan in Rampur on Tuesday. The SP leader said that the ancestors of the erstwhile royals were the most obedient servants of the British and bent over to please the British masters. Citing instance of legendry film Mughal-e-Azam, Khan said, "That film did not ruffle the sentiments of Muslims as they are not narrow-minded and are large-hearted. Even as the film portrayed Anarkali as fiancé of Mughal prince Salim and the battle between the emperor and the prince - which were not historically authenticated, no body objected.’’
"Muslims knew that a film could not distort their history. But the erstwhile Rajas and Maharajas are so scared by `Padmavati’ that they have hit the streets,’’ said Khan.
The SP leader also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saying both were scared by a dance in 'Padmavati'.
Targeting the Chief Minister for his aggressive campaigning in civic poll, Khan said, "The CM has made lord Rama his election symbol. The hard work being done by Yogi is a clear evidence that he is a worried man. A party can win election by spreading hatred and form a government but it’s entirely different ball game to run a government.’’