SRK in trouble again

vIndianz.com (22 Feb, 2010) — Koklata: Shah Rukh Khan’s brush with off-screen controversies is also acquiring mega proportions. Soon after his much-publicised war of words with the Shiv Sena, Khan finds himself in the spotlight once again — this time over his team, Kolkata Knight Rider’s merchandise deal with the promoters of Lux Cozi innerwear, according to Business Standard newspaper.

shaharukh khan Ashok Todi, one of the promoters of Lux Cozi, is in the dock over charges of abetment of suicide of Rizwanur Rehman, a 30-year old computer graphics teacher — something which has been grabbing the headlines for over two and a half years and shook Kolkata’s conscience.

Rizwanur died in September 2007, a little more than a month after he married Priyanka Todi, daughter of Ashok Todi. The family knocked on the doors of the police and politicians to break the marriage. The incident came to light only after Rizwanur’s death and embarrassed the state government enough to transfer this city’s police commissioner, a deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner and two other officials from their posts. The case against Ashok Todi is still being heard in court.

That is just the point that social activist Mudar Patherya is planning to raise at a press conference on KKR versus KKK (Kolkata Knight Riders versus Konscience Keepers of Kolkata) on Monday, where citizens will come together to protest against the deal.

Patherya had led a 16-day candlelight vigil when the Rizwanur death took place, and it was the public sentiment that prompted Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to act against the police officials.

KKR is taken aback by the reaction. Red Chillies, the company that owns KKR, says its association with Lux Cozi was a business decision and it was surprised by such a reaction of the public.

Rizwanur’s brother, Rukbanur Rahman, is writing an appeal to Shah Rukh Khan. Rukbanur said: “He is a youth icon, he has an image. I will appeal to Shah Rukh Khan for dissociating with the brand. Shah Rukh Khan’s fans have come and approached me to write this appeal.”

Trinamool Congress leader and leader of the opposition in the West Bengal legislative assembly, Partha Chatterjee, said: “It was unbecoming of Shah Rukh Khan to associate with Ashok Todi. He obviously does not empathise with Rizwanur’s family.” The TC had backed Rubanur in his fight for justice, though much after the citizens’ protest.

Comments are also pouring in on the Kolkata Knight Riders’ blog section, expressing disapproval about the association, BS reported.

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