‘Not Rajput pride’: Twitter fumes after attack on school bus over Padmaavat release

People took to Twitter and lashed out at the agitators protesting release of Padmaavat for holding the states to ransom. People also vented their anger on state governments, alleging them of giving the rioters a free run.

The widespread violence and vandalism by fringe groups across the country over the release of Sanjay Leena Bhansali’s Padmaavat have led to a huge outcry on social media.

Members of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena shout slogans against fimmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali during a protest (PTI)

Members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena — the Rajput organisation spearheading the protests in several states — attacked a school bus near Sohna road in Gurgaon on Wednesday as the agitation against the controversial period drama intensified across the country a day ahead of the film’s release.

A video capturing the incident showed frightened children cowering on the floor and crying as vandals pelted stones and smashed window panes of the bus they were travelling in.

Many people took to Twitter and lashed out at the agitators for holding the states to ransom. People also vented their anger on state governments, alleging them of giving the rioters a free run.

The Karni Sena has said that the organisation won’t allow the release of Padmaavat at any cost, even as the Supreme Court has asked all state governments to ensure safe screening of the movie.