New Delhi: The Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) faced some heat after a question on the quiz show referred to Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as Shivaji, resulting in an apology from Sony TV.
The offending question, which featured in KBC’s Wednesday episode, asked: ‘Which one of these rulers was a contemporary of Aurangzeb?’ Among the answer options were Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Shivaji.
By Thursday morning, people on social media began criticising Sony TV, the network that owns the show, disrespecting the 17th century Maratha warrior. Soon enough, a Twitter hashtag was generated as demands for an apology also grew.
BJP leader Nitish Rane said Sony TV had insulted Shivaji Maharaj by referring to him as just Shivaji.
The hashtags #BoycottSonyTV and #Boycott_KBC_SonyTV did the rounds, with calls for the audience to boycott the channel.
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv
This is painful…. and shameful too. This is what we are lacking, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did so much and we cant even respect his work , what coming generation going to learn from this? pic.twitter.com/u7AjapJ227
— Shubham Beluse (@786shubh204) November 8, 2019
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv
The greatest warrior in Indian history, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose name was named all Islamic invaders with great respect.
Aurangzeb himself called Shivaji Maharaj the lion of the south,
You are insulting those who reestablished Hindu Swaraj in India. pic.twitter.com/tIsEpzHp4b
— Gaurav Dhepe (@DhepeGaurav) November 8, 2019
People even questioned the patriotism of Sony TV and the writers of the show.
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv @SrBachchan
Who write these questions? Do they have any self respect or patriotism left in them? Does Bacchan Sahab review these question before coming in front of the camera? pic.twitter.com/5B4oWalMnX
— Nilesh K (@knil81) November 8, 2019
Many users also raised an objection on calling Shivaji Maharaj a contemporary of Aurangzeb.
Golden History of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can never be compared with tyrant aurangzeb and other mughals or islamic rulers…
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv pic.twitter.com/ksQAQykc9D
— Ganesh Popale (@imPopaleGp) November 8, 2019
Also read: On KBC, Amitabh Bachchan asks about pressure cooker, and media puts Chidambaram in it
‘Inadvertent error’
Sony TV issued an apology after the controversy erupted, saying the “inaccurate reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during Wednesday’s KBC episode” was “due to inadvertence”.
There was an inaccurate reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during Wednesday’s KBC episode, due to inadvertence. We deeply regret the same and being mindful of the sentiments of our viewers have carried a scroll expressing regret during our episode yesterday. #KBC11 pic.twitter.com/FLtSAt9HuN
— sonytv (@SonyTV) November 8, 2019
Sony also said they carried a scroll expressing regret.
This too didn’t go down well with many, who said putting out a scroll wasn’t enough and demanded an apology from Bachchan during the show.
What kinda shit video quality is this?
Amitabh Bachchan himself should apologize on the show
— RANVEER (@Ranveer_Chelsea) November 8, 2019
👉🏻 कार्यक्रम मे हमारे श्रद्धास्थान छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज जी का अपमान बोलकर किया है तो क्षमायाचना भी कार्यक्रम मे बोलकर ही होनी चाहीये वो भी @SrBachchan जी से ही !
तबतक #Boycott_KBC_SonyTv— Varsha kulkarni (@Varshakul11) November 8, 2019
Also read: How KBC and Big B killed a good show with wife jokes and inane questions