Will Kesari 2 Boost Saff-Run In Kerala, Punjab? Decoding BJP’s Attack On Congress Over Unsung Heroes

Last Updated:April 15, 2025, 18:53 IST

According to the BJP, the Congress ignores anyone who is not a Gandhi – be it Sardar Patel, Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, and now Sankaran Nair, on whom Kesari 2 is based

(Left) Hardeep Singh Puri hosted actor Akshay Kumar who plays the role of Sankaran Nair in the movie, Kesari 2. (X)

The movie Kesari Chapter 2, starring Akshay Kumar as Sankaran Nair, opens with gruesome images from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. While the actors avoid any controversy surrounding the film, the fact that Nair, the barrister who challenged the Crown, remains unknown to most is undeniable.

Even Akshay Kumar had said, “Before I was offered this movie, I didn’t know of the role played by Nair. This, despite the fact that I come from Punjab and have been to Jallianwala Bagh many times."

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri even advised Congress leaders to watch the film.

The movie is not preachy and avoids making any political points. There is no mention of Nair’s role as a Congress president. It makes no reference to his political moves; instead, it is portrayed as an intense, emotional courtroom drama.

However, the movie has become a political battleground between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Prime Minister has said that the Congress cannot see beyond the Nehru-Gandhi family.

According to the BJP, anyone who is not a Gandhi is ignored – like Sardar Patel, Sawarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, and now Sankaran Nair. The Congress has so far remained silent, except for Shashi Tharoor, who hails from Kerala and acknowledged that Nair should be honoured in history.

Ahead of the Kerala polls in 2026, and at the national level, the BJP will likely target the Congress for neglecting icons. The BJP has already accused the Gandhis of using Kerala as an entry point into Parliament. With Nair missing from the Congress narrative, this sentiment will be further highlighted by the BJP.

The BJP will also likely capitalise on the Sikh and Punjabi sentiment in the movie. With an eye on Punjab, to challenge the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Jallianwala Bagh massacre will reignite emotions, which the BJP will utilise.

With Kesari 2, the BJP hopes to reshape the political landscape.

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