Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya Sent Legal Notice Over Father of Nation Remark

Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya Sent Legal Notice Over Father of Nation Remark

A Pune-based lawyer has sent a legal notice to playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, seeking an apology for his comment that Mahatma Gandhi was the "father of nation" for Pakistan. The statement sparked widespread controversy and reactions on social media.

During an interview in December 2024, Bhattacharya made the remarks, stating that Pancham Da (RD Burman) was bigger than Mahatma Gandhi, and that the former was the Rashtrapita of music, while Gandhi was the Father of Pakistan. However, he clarified that Gandhi was not the father of India but rather a reference to Pakistan.

The interview triggered a mixed reaction on social media, with some defending Bhattacharya's straight-talking style and others condemning his remarks as insensitive. Days later, lawyer Asim Sarode from Pune sent a legal notice to Bhattacharya on behalf of a client Manish Deshpande, highlighting that the comments insulted Gandhi's reputation and defamed him.

The legal notice stated that India is widely recognised globally due to its association with Mahatma Gandhi and claimed that Bhattacharya's comment showed hatred towards the former leader. The notice also threatened criminal prosecution if no apology was issued by Bhattacharya.

Sarode reportedly commented in thenotice, "You made the above foolish statement claiming that India has always existed, and Pakistan was created by mistake."