Bollywood singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, known for his melodious voice and chart-topping hits, has often found himself at the center of controversies. This time, the singer stirred public outrage by stating that Mahatma Gandhi is the father of Pakistan, not India. The comment has drawn widespread criticism and even legal action.
Abhijeet’s Statement About Mahatma Gandhi
In an interview with Free Press Journal, Abhijeet compared legendary music composer RD Burman to Mahatma Gandhi, claiming Burman was akin to a “father of the nation” in the music world. He went on to remark that Gandhi should be considered the father of Pakistan rather than India. Abhijeet justified his statement by saying that while India existed before partition, Pakistan was created later, and Gandhi played a key role in that process. He stated:
“Music composer RD Burman was bigger than Mahatma Gandhi. Like Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation, RD Burman was the father of the nation in the world of music. Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation for Pakistan and not India. India already existed, Pakistan was carved out of India later. Gandhi has been mistakenly called the father of the nation for India. He was the one responsible for the existence of Pakistan.”
Legal Notice Sent Over the Controversial Comment
Abhijeet’s controversial statement led Pune-based lawyer Asim Sarode to issue a legal notice, demanding an apology. Sarode cited Gandhi’s steadfast opposition to India’s partition, highlighting that Gandhi once declared he would rather die than agree to the division of the country. The notice emphasized Gandhi’s lifelong efforts to maintain unity between Hindus and Muslims and promote harmony.
“When the political situation during the Independence movement was on the verge of dividing India into two nations, Mahatma Gandhi stated, ‘To accept partition, it will be over my dead body. So long as I am alive, I will never agree to the partition of India'”.
Abhijeet’s History of Controversies
This isn’t the first time Abhijeet has been embroiled in controversy. Previously, he accused actor Salman Khan of prioritizing Pakistani artists over Indian talent, alleging that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was chosen over Arijit Singh for a project. Salman’s fans responded harshly to the singer’s remarks.
Abhijeet has also had public spats with Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan. In a previous interview, he criticized an unnamed Bollywood actor for visiting the Ram Mandir while allegedly supporting opposing political views.
Public Reactions
Abhijeet’s comments about Gandhi have sparked a heated debate. While some support his candidness, others have condemned his remarks as disrespectful and divisive.
What are your thoughts on Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s statement about Mahatma Gandhi being the father of Pakistan?
