October 24, 2024: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is in hot water after appearing in a recent advertisement that has sparked controversy. The actor, dressed as a policeman in the ad, is seen promoting poker, which has led to backlash from certain groups. A Hindu organisation has raised objections, stating that the portrayal is disrespectful to law enforcement.
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Legal Action Against Nawazuddin? According to the Free Press Journal, Nawazuddin is being accused of defaming the Maharashtra police. The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Director General of Police, demanding action against the actor and Ankur Singh, the owner of Big Cash Poker, the company behind the ad. The complaint alleges that the ad tarnishes the image of the Maharashtra Police by depicting a police officer encouraging online gambling, labeling it as “damaging and disrespectful.”
In a related development, Abhishek Murukate, the Maharashtra state coordinator of Surajya Abhiyan, has also addressed a letter to the state’s DGP and the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The letter urges legal action against the Gangs of Wasseypur star under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979, and the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, for allegedly defaming the police force.
An excerpt from the letter states, “The Maharashtra police undergo rigorous training, but this advertisement implies that online gambling provides them with skills. It is disappointing that no police officer has taken action against this portrayal, and unfortunate that complaints have to be made by others. We hope Maharashtra’s home minister will also take cognizance of the matter.”
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the calls for legal action against Nawazuddin Siddiqui and the advertisement’s creators.
