VHP asks Ramlila committee to drop Poonam Pandey for Mandodari’s role, organisers refuse

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday strongly objected to the Lav Kush Ramlila committee’s decision to cast actress Poonam Pandey as Mandodari, Ravana’s wife, in the upcoming religious event.

VHP’s Delhi region secretary Surendra Gupta, in a letter to the organisers, said, “Artists for Ramlilas should be selected not solely based on acting ability, but also with cultural appropriateness and the sentiments of devotees in mind. Mandodari is a very important character of the Ramayana as she is considered a symbol of virtue, dignity, restraint, and ideal wifely devotion. Therefore, the selection of the actress playing this role should be done with these ideals in mind.”

Mr. Gupta said Ms. Pandey’s public image and past controversies may “hurt devotees”, and the committee should reconsider its decision and select an actress with a traditional theatrical background or someone who is consistent with cultural expectations for the role of Mandodari.

The VHP leader clarified that he is not opposing any artist, but rather protecting the cultural legitimacy of public events related to sacred texts, such as the Ramayana, and the faith of devotees.

Reacting to VHP’s reservations, Arjun Kumar, president of the 45-year-old committee, said, “Even if the actress had a controversial past and society gives at least one chance to a man to improve, why not have the same stance for a woman.”

Mr. Kumar asked why an actor with a “controversial past” can’t play a character in the Ramayana when a dacoit can become a Member of Parliament and a film star can be a ‘Mahamandaleshwar (spiritual guru)’.

“We talk about women empowerment and then also object when women excel,” said Mr. Kumar.

“If Ms. Pandey is playing this role, that requires her to obey the culture, the same will reach her millions of followers and will also help them in understanding and respecting our culture,” he added.

Ms. Pandey will be sharing the stage with Arya Babbar, who will be playing the role of Ravana in the 10-day-long Ramlila, starting from September 22. The actress has expressed happiness at being offered the role in the mythological epic. Kinshuk Vaidya is playing Ram, and Rini Arya will step into the role of Sita. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari will be playing the role of Parashurama.

The invitation cards of the Ramlila also mention the success of Operation Sindoor and the valour of the Indian armed forces.