We Said Manipur, He Thought Kareena Kapoor: Congress Takes Potshot At PM Modi

The Congress on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting Bollywood's Kapoor family, alleging misplaced priorities during a time of crisis.

Taking a jab at the Prime Minister, Congress leader Pawan Khera remarked, "We said Manipur, he thought Kareena Kapoor."

The Kapoor family met PM Modi in Delhi on December 10 ahead of the Raj Kapoor 100 Film Festival, an event commemorating the centenary of the legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, who passed away in 1988. The meeting saw Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, and other family members engaging with the Prime Minister to discuss the upcoming celebration of Raj Kapoor's legacy.

Kareena Kapoor Khan shared pictures from the meeting, showing an elated Kapoor clan posing with the Prime Minister. Notably, the photographs captured moments of Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor in conversation with PM Modi.

A Special Gesture for Taimur and Jeh
One of the standout moments from the meeting was Kareena's request for an autograph from PM Modi for her sons, Taimur and Jeh. The Prime Minister graciously signed "Tim and Jeh" on a piece of paper, a gesture that received appreciation from fans on social media.

Kareena also expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt post, saying, "We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us."

The Raj Kapoor 100 Film Festival is scheduled to take place from December 13 to 15, 2024. The festival will feature 10 iconic Raj Kapoor films screened across 40 cities and 135 cinemas, with tickets priced at Rs 100.

Kareena highlighted the importance of the event, stating, "As we celebrate 100 glorious years of Dadaji's artistry, vision, and contribution to Indian cinema, we honour the timeless impact of his legacy, which continues to inspire us and generations to come."

Meanwhile, critics have pointed out that the Prime Minister's engagement with Bollywood comes at a time when Manipur continues to grapple with violence. Ethnic clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and the hill-based Kuki-Zo groups have been ongoing since May 3, 2023, following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence has left 258 people dead and thousands homeless, with sporadic unrest continuing to plague the region. Congress leaders have accused the government of neglecting the crisis in Manipur while prioritizing celebratory events and photo-ops.

As the nation debates the Prime Minister's choices, the juxtaposition of the Kapoor family meeting and the ongoing unrest in Manipur has stirred significant political discourse.