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Kher files court case against Left leader
MUMBAI: Following up on his threat to sue CPI (M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet for allegedly describing him as an “RSS man”, noted actor and sacked censor board chairman Anupam Kher today filed a criminal complaint in a magistrate’s court in Mumbai.
Kher personally appeared in the court along with his lawyer Majeed Memon. The next hearing of the case is on 17 November.
Kher, who was summarily dismissed as chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) last week, took Surjeet to court for writing what he termed a defamatory article in CPM mouthpiece People’s Democracy.
Kher has alleged that Surjeet dubbed him an RSS man implementing the Hindutva ideology in the censor board.
Kher, who was appointed by the previous government,
was replaced last Wednesday (13 October) as chairman of the censor board by yesteryear’s screen siren Sharmila Tagore.
It was on October 14 that Kher served a notice to Surjeet asking the CPM general secretary to “satisfactorily substantiate the allegation or publicly deny the same within 48 hours”.
Kher’s protestations notwithstanding, the film fraternity’s reactions to his ouster have not all been supportive. Two associations of documentary filmmakers in fact lauded the government’s decision to remove Kher.
The strongest criticism of Kher has come from documentary filmmaker Rakesh Sharma. It was under Kher’s tenure that Sharma’s award winning documentary on the Gujarat riots Final Solution was stalled for months before finally being cleared without cuts two weeks ago.
Sharma in a prepared statement sent from the US had this to say, “I am really upset by the way Anupam Kher is taking credit for clearing my documentary on Gujarat riots and saying that he is being victimised, despite lifting the ban on it. The truth is that we documentary filmmakers were harassed by him for a long time. During a recent film festival in Bangalore, where Final Solution was opening, he sent the police after us.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
