Activists of fringe groups have threatened to prevent movie theatres in Madhya Pradesh from screening Padmaavat, a controversial film on the legendary Rajput queen, despite the Supreme Court striking down a state-imposed ban.
The Rajput Karni Sena and Maharana Sena have decided to intensify protests against the movie in the coming days. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat will release on January 25.
Maharana Sena leader Rajendra Singh Rana claimed that many Rajput women were willing to commit ‘jauhar’ – a Hindu custom of mass self-immolation – at Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan to protest against the movie. “The film has hurt the Rajput community’s sentiments by distorting history,” he said. Activists of the fringe group then submitted a memorandum demanding re-imposition of the ban to district authorities.
The Supreme Court struck down the ban imposed by four states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana – on Thursday, leading to a fresh spate of protests.
Rajput Karni Sena state president Jeevan Singh Rathore said his organisation would hold statewide protests against the movie. “We are not happy with the Supreme Court order. It is our right to protest against a movie that has hurt our sentiments by distorting history,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Rajput Karni Sena state president Jeevan Singh Rathore said his organisation would hold statewide protests against the movie. “We are not happy with the Supreme Court order. It is our right to protest against a movie that has hurt our sentiments by distorting history,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Rathore also echoed the contention about Rajput women planning to committing ‘jauhar’ at Chittorgarh fort. “Their number will only increase in the coming days, and it will become difficult for the authorities to check the tsunami of protest,” he said.
Meanwhile, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said his government will seek legal opinion on the Supreme Court order before taking appropriate action. The document is currently being studied by the advocate general.
Rajput Karni Sena activists allegedly vandalised the St Paul’s School in Ratlam district while elementary students were dancing to ‘Ghoomar’, a song from Padmaavat, on Monday. Following this, state home minister Bhupendra Singh reportedly said the song should be not be played anywhere in the state.
He retracted the statement after being criticised by opposition parties as well as social media users.