BJP and VHP wrote the committee not to describe Ponam Pandey for the role of Mandodari in Ramlila. | Photo Credit: Hind
After Bhartiya Janata (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parisad (VHP) (VHP), they decided to say goodbye to actress Poonam Pandey, who was offered to play the role of Mandodari (VHP) offered to play the role of Mandodari (Ravana’s wife) in Delhi 46 years.
In the letter of the Ramlila Committee, the BJP spokesman Poe Shankar Kapoor and the regional head of the VHP Surendra Jain said that due to its controversial past and the cast of Mrs Pandey in mythological epic, it would damage the religious feelings of people.
On Tuesday (September 23, 2025), Arjun Kumar, the president of the Lava Kush Ramlila Committee, who organizes Ramlila in Red Fort, he decided that due to the opposition of the Hindu community people, they decided to change the actors playing Mandodari. He said that Mrs Pandey was told about change.
Change for unity and peace
“Mrs. Pandey was really looking forward to her role. She even proceeded to seek the blessing of God. It is unfortunate that we have to drop it from Ramlila,” Kumar said.
He added that Lord Ram used “unity and peace” to the world, and if people start to share their opinions on to throw someone in Ramlile, the purpose of the game and the Lord’s life lessons will fail.
“We do not want the company to be divided into the name Ramlila, so it is better to split with Mrs Pandey.
Move Welcome to BJP, VHP
Responses to the decision of the Lav Kush Committee Ramlila to cancel the name Mrs Pandey of Ramlila, head, and spokesman Delhi Bjp, just Shankar Kapoor welcomes this step. He added that the announcement concerning Mrs Pandey playing Mandodari caused extensive outrage among religious leaders, as well as social and political activists throughout Delhi.
“By removing Poonam Pandey from the role of Mandodari, Lav Kush’s Committee Ramlil respected the religious feelings of the spiritual community and the general public,” said Mr. Kapoor.
Surendra Gupt, Secretary of the VHP Delhi region, also appreciated the Ramlila decision. In his letter to the organizers of Ramlila, he said that the organization does not correspond to any artists, but rather protects the cultural legitimacy of public events related to sacred texts such as Ramayana and the belief of the devotees.
Delhi cm extends time for Ramlila, dandia
Minister Delhi Rekha Gupta said in an interview with the media on Tuesday that the BJP government in the capital extended time for Ramlila, Dandia and other cultural festivals from 22:00 to midnight.
During any function or cultural action in Delhi for 22 hours there is a ban on using speakers during any function or cultural action in Delhi
“I have always noticed that our Hindu festivals are facing problems … Ramlila, Durga Puja can never end at 22:00, when Dandiya can continue all night in Gujarat, when events can happen all night in other countries, then this is a continuation problem for people from Delhi?
Published – 23 September 2025 06:49
