Will resort to ‘public curfew’ on day Padmaavat is released: Karni Sena
The announcement came even as a member of Akhil Bhartiya Chhatriya Mahasabha Sukhbir Singh Bhadoria in Bareilly threatened “to plant bombs in cinema halls that would show the film.”
The Shree Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS), a group opposing the controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat, on Monday announced it will resort to a ‘public curfew’ the day the movie is released.
The announcement came even as a member of Akhil Bhartiya Chhatriya Mahasabha Sukhbir Singh Bhadoria in Bareilly threatened “to plant bombs in cinema halls that would show the film.”
Lokendra Singh Kalvi, chief founder of SRKS, said ‘public curfew’ meant no hall would screen the movie and no one would go to watch it.
He made the announcement at a press conference after meeting chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Monday.
“We have done this with Jodha Akbar (Hindi film) in Rajasthan. We went to cinema hall owners and did manuhaar (request) and they agreed. The same we wish for Padmaavat,” he said.
“About 200 women have sought permission for jauhar (self-immolation) and what bigger sacrifice do you think can be there to stop screening of the film?” Kalvi said.
“The CM was the first person to make a public statement on the issue from Ayodhya that history should not be distorted. He understands the sentimental issue with the movie. But all chief ministers have to follow the court directives,” said Kalvi.
The Supreme Court last week stayed the ban imposed on the film’s screening by the governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
“A year after its promise, Bhansali productions has invited SRKS to see the movie and referred to our points of objection as misguided grievances,” said Kalvi.
“We wish to see the movie, but only that version which is slated for release,” he said.
Asked about the specific scenes the sena is objecting to, Kalvi said this question should be put to prof Kapil Kumar, who saw the movie with Arvind Singh Mewar and Dr Chandramani Singh.
“Kapil has said a scene shows Allauddin Khilji in a hamam (bath tub) just as Malik Kafoor draws a curtain and there is a dream sequence with a Deepika-like woman. Now, we cannot tolerate such a scene for Padmavati who committed jauhar with 16,000 other women for honour.”
He said the central government and the Central Board of Film Certification could still stop screening of the film.
A film on Padmavati should be like Bahubali, which was based on the Kshatriyas and not a single objection was raised in the entire country, he said.
Himanshu, the SRKS spokesperson, said, “What the sena has been doing is to convey public sentiments to the government and the censor board. It’s not threatening.”
When asked what action they would take against screening the film, they denied the prospect of violence.
Karni Sena replied to Bhansali productions
In reply to the Bhansali production’s invitation to Karni Sena to watch the movie, Giriraj Singh Lotwara, president of the Shree Rajput Sabha, said in a letter that it seemed an eyewash and a drama to mislead the public at large.
“You do not appear to be serious,” he said. Copies of the letter were distributed at the press conference.
“Mr Prasoon Joshi invited nine experts and only three were shown the movie but even their opinion was rejected outright. Now if you are really serious, will you fix a suitable date by mutual consent to show this film to the remaining six experts with representatives of all agitating organizations?” Lotwara said in the letter dated January 20, 2018.
Lotwara also asked whether the production house would go by the opinion of the six experts for changes if they were to make any such suggestion.