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RPI storm Star office; upset with Ekta , Smriti and ‘Kyunkii..’
MUMBAI: What’s it with Kyunki… and the protest brigade? After women’s groups, political activists have now taken up cudgels against Hindi entertainment television’s top soap.
In a perplexing turn of events, the Republican Party of India (RPI) Ramdas Athawale faction today held demonstrations outside Star India’s office in Mumbai’s suburb of Andheri. The reason: to vent their anger against Kyunki’s… lead protagonist Smriti Iraani aka Tulsi Virani and producer Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms.
The RPI activists were protesting what they termed an “insult to the Indian Constitution” (and by extension to Dalit icon and the man who penned this holy grail the late Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) in an episode of Kyunkii which aired on 22 December. During this episode, Tulsi decried the fact that the Indian Constitution is ambiguous on the issue of marital rape.
Commenting on the development, Star India’s executive vice president content Deepak Segal says, “The protest is essentially because they believe that the episode condemned the Constitution. Whereas the dialogue specifically referred to the fact that the constituted law does not address the issue of marital rape. There has been nothing said against the Constitution.”
The RPI however has taken the dialogue in the serial amiss and seems very agitated. An upset RPI president (Andheri) Damodar Bodke told indiantelevision.com, “We want a written apology from Smriti Iraani and Ekta Kapoor. They have offended the Indian Constitution and in turn Baba Saheb Ambedkar. If a written statement is not issued, we will cause damage to Balaji Telefilms as well as ransack Smriti Iraani’s house.”
A group of RPI activists today raised slogans against the two outside the Star India office. And refused to allow any Star executives to leave the premises.
Balaji’s creative director Ekta Kapoor, although appears unfazed by the high noon drama. Says she: “There cannot be any legal implications that they can impose. As far as the Indian Constitution is concerned, it also allows for freedom of speech. One is entitled to voice their opinion. Specially, on an issue like marital rape which is a heinous crime and is very ambiguous in the Indian law.”
When asked about whether the episode condemned Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Kapoor says, “Absolutely not! Why will we ever insult a leader who has done so much for the nation? “
On the written apology front, Kapoor said that she was not in the wrong but she would be consulting her lawyer on the whole situation.
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.
