Mumbai, October 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday alleged that Bollywood, a major part of Mumbai’s cultural and economic identity, was considering shifting its operations to other states or even abroad amid growing security concerns.
Sapkal claimed that threats and attacks targeting film personalities had created an atmosphere of fear in the industry. He questioned the Maharashtra government’s handling of law and order and alleged that criminal networks were operating with political protection.
“This would be a major cultural and economic loss for Maharashtra. If gangsters can directly control the film industry while sitting inside Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail, what exactly are the police and the BJP-led Mahayuti government doing?” Sapkal asked, alleging that such groups could not have become so emboldened without political patronage.
Speaking to the media, he said actors, producers and directors were being targeted and threats were being issued against them. He referred to reported attacks involving Tiger Shroff, Salman Khan and Rohit Shetty, adding that other actors were also reportedly on the radar of criminal groups.
Sapkal said the All India Cine Workers Association’s appeal to the Union Home Minister for security reflected serious concerns about Maharashtra’s law-and-order situation. He held Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis responsible for what he described as a failure to ensure the safety of people in the state.
The Congress leader also referred to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s public remarks about developing the film industry in Uttar Pradesh. He questioned whether the reported security threats and discussions about moving Bollywood out of Mumbai were connected, without presenting evidence establishing such a link.
Sapkal said the state government had a responsibility to protect film personalities and maintain public safety, adding that it should resign if it could not control crime.
Separately, Sapkal visited the family of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar, who was recently murdered in Thane, to offer his condolences. He demanded an independent investigation, alleging that the probe so far had failed to make meaningful progress and was protecting those suspected of involvement.
Sapkal called for a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an IPS officer from outside Thane and demanded that the investigation be conducted under the supervision of the High Court.
He claimed that the Purnekar family had provided evidence and named individuals they suspected of involvement, but that no satisfactory progress had been made. He also alleged that the investigation had taken the wrong direction from the time the FIR was registered and that the main accused were being shielded.
According to Sapkal, the existing SIT, comprising local police personnel, had failed to inspire confidence among the victim’s family and residents of Thane.
He further said Purnekar had expressed fears for his life before his murder and urged investigators to examine that aspect of the case. Sapkal said the government must ensure justice for the family and assured them of the Congress party’s support.
FOLLOW NOW
