New Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) fires back at Congress amid the controversy surrounding the newly released film ‘Godaan’. Released on February 6, the movie has sparked outrage from Congress leaders and some Muslim clerics, who demand its immediate ban for allegedly stoking communal hatred.
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal has turned the tables, urging Congress to confront its own dark history before pointing fingers. ‘Congress’s image was already tarnished during attacks on unarmed Ram devotees,’ Bansal stated sharply. He referenced the horrific events of November 7, 1966, at Delhi’s Boat Club near Parliament, under Indira Gandhi’s regime. ‘That day remains a black mark in India’s history. A massive crowd of cow devotees gathered peacefully, only to face brutal firing. No official count exists of the devotees and even cows killed that day,’ he recounted.
Bansal didn’t stop there. He alleged that several cow protectors and saints were whisked away to unknown locations and shot dead. ‘Instead of calling for bans on films like Godaan, Congress should apologize for these atrocities,’ he demanded. He called on Parliament to restore cows’ rightful honor, pushing for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter.
The film’s producers, Vinod Kumar Chaudhary and Parul Chaudhary, with co-producer Chetan Goswami and director Amit Prajapati, face mounting pressure. Congress voices like Uttar Pradesh’s Anshu Awasthi and Poonam Pandit have led the protests, amplifying calls for censorship. As debates rage, Bansal’s retort highlights deep-seated historical grievances, questioning whether past sins can be overlooked in today’s cultural battles. The film industry watches closely, wondering if artistic freedom will prevail or succumb to political demands.