Bhopal- Several Madhya Pradesh cabinet ministers were absent from a special screening of the newly released film 'The Sabarmati Report' attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday. The screening, organized at a Bhopal theater, saw the Chief Minister joined by actors Vikrant Massey and Rashi Khanna.

This conspicuous absence by ministers, who were present at the cabinet meeting chaired by CM Yadav earlier in the day at his residence, sparked criticism from the opposition Congress party. "Today I am going to watch this film with all my cabinet colleagues," CM Yadav had stated after the cabinet meeting concluded.

Among the notable absentees were Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, along with ministers Kailash Vijayvargiya, Pralhad Patel, Rakesh Singh, Vishwas Sarang, and Tulsi Silawat.

Senior Congress leader and former minister Sajjan Singh Verma seized the opportunity to criticize the ruling BJP, suggesting an "internal rift" within the cabinet. He pointed to the absence of senior ministers like Kailash Vijayvargiya, Pralhad Patel, and Rakesh Singh as indicative of discontent with CM Yadav.

Dheeraj Sarna's film explores the events surrounding the burning of the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station on February 27, 2002. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya and played a role in instigating riots across Gujarat.

Earlier this week, CM Yadav declared 'The Sabarmati Report' tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and praised the film's impact. He also congratulated lead actor Vikrant Massey over a video call.

(Source-IANS)