Binaca Geetmala was halted over Kishore Kumar-Indira Gandhi fallout: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday invoked the popular radio programme Binaca Geetmala while delivering a sharp criticism of the Congress during a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha. Amit Shah referred to the program’s disruption during the Emergency (1975-77) to highlight the restrictions imposed by the then Indira Gandhi-led government. Recalling his personal experience, Shah said, “I used to listen to Binaca Geetmala, but it suddenly stopped during the Emergency... My neighbour informed me that Kishore Kumar had a fallout with Indira Gandhi, leading her to prohibit his songs from being broadcast. As a result, for 19 months, the public heard duet songs of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar in only Lata ji’s voice.”