Parties Clash Over Shah Rukh Khan’s National Best Actor Award

The dispute has shifted to election messaging as Congress disowns a leader’s claim that the honor was meant to woo Muslim voters.

Overview

Shah Rukh Khan received the National Award for Best Actor for Jawan, sharing the honor with Vikrant Massey.
BJP leader Raj Purohit said Congress governments ignored Khan and argued the award reflects merit rather than religion.
Congress legislator Bhai Jagtap congratulated Khan but alleged the timing was geared to Bihar and Maharashtra local elections.
Jagtap also suggested the move targeted Muslim voters, a claim rejected by BJP leaders who called it baseless.
Congress senior leader Udit Raj said Jagtap’s comments do not represent the party’s position, as other NDA figures such as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also criticized the remarks.