Poonam Pandey. File

| Photo Credit: The Hindu

After backlash from ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the organisers of Lav Kush Ramlila committee decided to part ways with actress Poonam Pandey who was offered to play the role of Mandodari (Ravana’s wife) in Delhi’s 46-year-old Ramlila.In a letter to Ramlila committee, BJP’s spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor and VHP’s regional head Surendra Jain had said that considering her controversial past, casting Ms. Pandey in the mythological epic will hurt the religious sentiments of people.Speaking to media on Tuesday (September 23, 2025), Arjun Kumar, president of Lav Kush Ramlila Committee, which organises Ramlila at Red Fort, said that due to the opposition by the people of the Hindu community, the organisers have decided to change the actor who would play Mandodari. He said that Ms. Pandey has been communicated about the change.Change for unity and peace“Ms. Pandey was really looking forward to her role. She was even fasting to seek blessings of the god. It’s unfortunate that we have to drop her from the Ramlila,” Mr. Kumar said.He added that Lord Ram used to teach ‘unity and peace’ to the world and if people start getting divided on opinions over casting someone in Ramlila, it will fail the purpose of the play and the life lessons of the lord.“We do not want the society to be divided in the name of Ramlila, hence it’s better to part ways with Ms. Pandey. I will still say that everyone should be given a change to change,” he added.Move welcome by BJP, VHPReacting to the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee’s decision of dropping Ms. Pandey’s name from Ramlila, Delhi BJP media head and spokesperson, Praveen Shankar Kapoor, welcomes the move. He added that the announcement regarding Ms. Pandey playing Mandodari had triggered widespread outrage among religious leaders, as well as social and political activists across Delhi.“By removing Poonam Pandey from the role of Mandodari, the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee has respected the religious sentiments of both the spiritual community and the general public,” said Mr. Kapoor.Surendra Gupta, secretary of VHP Delhi region, also appreciated the decision of the Ramlila committee. He in his letter to the organisers of the Ramlila had said that the organisation 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.Delhi CM extends time for Ramlila, DandiaThe Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta while talking to media on Tuesday said that the BJP government in the capital has increased the time for Ramlila, Dandia and other cultural festivals from 10 p.m. to midnight.There is a ban to use loudspeakers during any function or cultural event in Delhi after 10 p.m.“I have always noticed that our Hindu festivals face difficulties.... Ramlila, Durga Puja can never end at 10 p.m. When Dandiya can continue throughout the night in Gujarat, when events can happen all night in other States, then what’s the issue with continuing the same for the people of Delhi? That’s why this time we have permitted all Ramlila, Durga Puja, and other cultural-religious festivities to continue until midnight,” Ms. Gupta added. Published - September 23, 2025 06:49 pm IST