Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Thursday criticised the Centre's decision to move the National Film Awards ceremony from Delhi to Gujarat, alleging that the change undermines the importance of both the national capital and Mumbai.
The National Film Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, where President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours to the award winners.
Kevadia, now officially known as 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 decision to shift the prestigious awards ceremony has drawn criticism from political parties in Maharashtra, with leaders questioning the rationale behind selecting Gujarat as the new venue.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray questioned why Mumbai was not considered if the ceremony was to be moved out of Delhi.
The controversy comes amid a broader political debate over the significance of Mumbai as India's leading film and entertainment hub. Opposition leaders have argued that the city, given its deep connection with the Indian film industry, would have been a natural choice for hosting the National Film Awards.
The September 22 ceremony is expected to bring together leading personalities from across India's film industry, with President Murmu scheduled to confer the prestigious national honours.
