Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Trouble for Disrespecting Maharashtra Police While Promoting Poker in Uniform

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a well-known actor, has recently come under scrutiny due to an advertisement that has sparked controversy. As reported by the Free Press Journal, the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has urged the Mumbai Police to take action against him. They claim that the advertisement, which features Nawazuddin portraying a police officer, negatively impacts the reputation of the Maharashtra Police. In the ad, he encourages viewers to play poker, leading to significant backlash against him.

The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has submitted a letter to the Mumbai Police commissioner and the director general of police in Maharashtra, demanding action against both Nawazuddin and Ankur Singh, the owner of Big Cash Poker. They allege that the advertisement is damaging to the police force's image, as it suggests that gambling is associated with law enforcement.

Moreover, the social welfare initiative, Surajya Abhiyan, has joined the call for action, stating that the ad “defames the police.” In their communication, they emphasized that such commercials are “disrespectful to law enforcement.” Abhishek Murukate, who coordinates Surajya Abhiyan in Maharashtra, has reached out to the police authorities to request accountability for both Nawazuddin and Ankur.

The letter expressed concern over the implications of the ad. It stated, “This is alarming because the same police department files cases against such people and arrests gamblers. Hindu Janjagruti Samiti's 'Surajya Abhiyan' strongly condemns this.” Abhishek further noted that the advertisement misleadingly suggests that online gambling could provide skills to police officers, which is disheartening. He hopes that the home minister of Maharashtra will also take notice of the situation.

As of now, Nawazuddin has not publicly commented on the controversy surrounding the ad. On a professional note, he recently starred in “Haddi,” available on the OTT platform Zee5. His other recent project, “Rautu Ka Raaz,” was also released on Zee5 on June 28 and features a talented cast including Atul Tiwari, Rajesh Kumar, and Narayani Shastri.