UP in arms over Abhishek!

UP in arms over Abhishek!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 13:27 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Abhishek Bachchan was Monday conferred Uttar Pradesh's highest cultural honour - Yash Bharti - at a ceremony to honour the star actor. His's grandfather and Hindi litterateur, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father Amitabh Bachchan and mother Jaya Bachchan have already been conferred the award.

The Bollywood star was among 11 people who received the award from Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. Wrestlers Taluqdar Yadav, Jagdish Kaliraman, Shailendra Tomar and Rajiv Tomar; litterateurs Viveki Rai, Uday Pratap Singh and Yogesh Pravin; and journalists Shitla Singh and Vijay Kumar Yadav were also recipients of the award.

Cricketer Mohammad Kaif's father Mohammad Tarif received the award on his son's behalf as he's currently playing in South Africa.

A token Rs. 500,000 was given to all the awardees. But Abhishek donated his share towards "any social welfare programme of the Uttar Pradesh government".

He announced his decision in a brief, formal address he read out at the occasion.

The decision to honour Abhishek had earlier met with sharp criticism from political parties and cultural groups. Large protests had been staged here against his nomination. According to the criteria for the award, the recipient should belong to Uttar Pradesh and should have contributed to the state in some way.

Abhishek is the fourth member of the Bachchan family to get the award. Mulayam Singh has already honoured his grandfather, the late Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and his actor parents, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.

Student activists at Lucknow University had even burnt effigies of both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Abhishek.

University Students' Union President Bajrangi Singh had termed Abhishek's selection as "a case of blatant nepotism, prompted on account of the affinity of the Bachchan family with the chief minister".
Kareena Kapoor Khan Sends Love to Rajkummar Rao's Maalik, Says 'Kill It, Guys'!

Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik has just hit the big screen and is receiving a positive response from netizens, who

Friday, July 11, 2025
Rajkummar Rao Roars in Maalik, wins the audience's hearts once again!

Rajkummar Rao’s gritty transformation in Maalik has taken social media by storm. With the film

Friday, July 11, 2025
Suniel Shetty returns, Jackie Shroff joins the chase: Amazon MX Player unveils action-packed teaser of Hunter Season 2!

It’s time for the most explosive face-off of the year! Amidst heavy anticipation, Amazon MX Player

Friday, July 11, 2025
JioHotstar Sparks announces 'The Society', a new captive reality game show hosted by Munawar Faruqui!

JioHotstar is set to launch an exciting new reality show titled The Society under the Sparks umbrella

Friday, July 11, 2025
Dhadak 2 Trailer: A Bold New Chapter in Indian Romantic Drama!

The official trailer of Dhadak 2 has finally dropped, and it’s sending shockwaves through the internet

Friday, July 11, 2025