Nagpur, July 12 (TNN): Chandrakant Gharote, general secretary of Sanskar Bharti, a cultural outfit affiliated to the RSS, has been nominated as a member of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). Gharote is a close associate of Kanchan Gadkari, head of the Nagpur unit of Sanskar Bharti, and wife of Union minister Nitin Gadkari.

The Opposition was quick to point out that this follows several steps taken by the party to 'saffronise academics and art' in the country.

The fresh controversy comes at a time when the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of the Pune-based Film and Television Training Institute (FTTI) is still smoldering reportedly for statements against Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor on Saturday.

"I never asked for it and I am not even aware who recommended it. But it is true that very few people from Vidarbha get this chance," said Gharote. Known for his passion for drawing artistic and elaborate rangolis, Gharote used to work for the Nagpur Nagrik Bank promoted by the Sangh parivar. Four years ago he retired as an assistant manager.

While nominations to CBFC are known to be mostly political and done by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry, recommendations of party members from across the political spectrum are also honoured. However, the Congress says the BJP-ruled government at the Centre is ignoring merit and expertise.

"There is a continuous deliberate effort at saffronisation by the Modi government," said state Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant. "The only criterion that counts now for appointment to government bodies is the RSS connection and saffron loyalty," he added. A top official of the CBFC said normally experts drawn from varying fields are nominated. These members constitute a committee that then watches a film before it is cleared for public release and the certification is issued as per the committee's recommendations.

"There is no cap on the number of members. Normally there are around 100 at a time on the board and as per their availability a committee is constituted for clearing a movie that producers submit to CBFC. A member is paid Rs 1,000 per viewing," the official said.

Gharote admits that his film expertise is limited to his close relations with veteran director Raj Dutt who (like Gharote) hails from Wardha. Both have been associated with Sanskar Bharati for decades.

"Since 1990, I have keenly participated in the promotion of art. I have been conducting national workshops for artists," Gharote said.