Uddhav criticises shift of National Film Awards to Gujarat; Raut calls for boycott

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday criticised the decision to move the National Film Awards ceremony from Delhi to Kevadia in Gujarat, alleging that the Centre was trying to “create a wall” between the state and the rest of the country, while party MP Sanjay Raut called for a boycott of the event.

Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray questioned why the ceremony could not be held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or the capitals of other states.

“They are trying to build a wall between Gujarat and the rest of the country. Answers must be sought from them (BJP) as to why they are doing this,” he said.

Raut questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi belonged only to Gujarat and argued that a national programme should traditionally be held in the national capital.

“This is a national programme, so people will expect this to happen in the national capital. Is this a Vibrant Gujarat event? The people whose brainchild this idea was are ‘dimagi Naxals’,” he said.

Raut alleged that the venue was being shifted ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls and accused the government of diminishing the importance of both the national capital and the National Film Awards.

“Artists should not go to Gujarat. Any artist proud of their country will refuse the award,” he said.

The National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, with President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to present the honours, officials said on Monday.

Kevadia, renamed Ekta Nagar, is home to the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The 597-foot monument was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

The first National Film Awards ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi in 1954, and the venue has hosted most subsequent award ceremonies.

The 72nd edition of the awards, announced in July, marks a departure from the long-standing tradition, although the ceremony has been held outside Delhi on occasions. The 17th National Film Awards, for instance, were held in Chennai in 1971.