National Film Awards Belong to Whole Nation, Not One State: Gujarat BJP

The Gujarat unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly rebutted Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's criticism of the National Film Awards being held in Kevadia, asserting that the honours are a matter of national pride rather than the preserve of any single state or region.

Gujarat BJP chief spokesperson Dr Anil Patel said the awards celebrate cinematic excellence across India, with entries in numerous languages competing for the top honours. He noted that the ceremony recognises directors, actors, writers, and technical crew from all parts of the country, including the North, South, and West.

Patel defended the choice of Kevadia as the venue, pointing out that the National Film Awards have previously been hosted outside Delhi, such as in Chennai. He described Kevadia as a fitting location that embodies the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', and highlighted that it is home to the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, which draws visitors from across the globe.

Taking aim at the opposition leader, Patel accused Thackeray's faction of consistently opposing Gujarat's progress and of targeting the state for political gains during the Maharashtra assembly elections. He claimed that Maharashtra's voters have already delivered their verdict on the faction, and asserted that the group led by Thackeray is not the real Shiv Sena.

Concluding his remarks, Patel advised Thackeray to move beyond a narrow political outlook and focus on the nation's broader interests. He suggested that the failure to adopt a national perspective is the key reason behind the faction's shrinking political influence.