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Prasoon Joshi skips ZEE JLF amid Padmaavat row

Joshi, who is a poet and a top lyricist for Bollywood movies, is a regular at Jaipur during the literature festival, very popular with the crowd.

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In the wake of the controversy stirred up by the Karni Sena over the release of the film Padmaavat, Prasoon Joshi, the chief of the Central Board of Film Certification, has decided not to attend this year's ZEE JLF. In a statement issued on Saturday, Joshi said that he was keeping away "so that the dignity of the event does not get compromised or discomfort caused either to the organisers, fellow writers or the attendees. And also, so that the lovers of literature get to focus on creativity and not controversy."

Joshi, who is a poet and a top lyricist for Bollywood movies, is a regular at Jaipur during the literature festival, very popular with the crowd. Joshi was to have addressed an afternoon session on Saturday titled "Main Aur Woh: Conversations with Myself", moderated by writer and filmmaker Anu Singh Choudhury.

There were fears that the Karni Sena, which had earlier issued death threats to the film's actors, would lay siege to the venue or disrupt the festival. 

The CBFC under Joshi had cleared the film after asking for a few disclaimers to be inserted and modifications made, including the name to be changed to Padmaavat.

"The issue around the film Padmaavat," Joshi said in his statement announcing he was not coming to Jaipur, "I did my job and sincerely took a sensitive and balanced call. As I have said earlier, certification was done with due processes, incorporating valid suggestions whilst staying mindful to the concerns of the society as well as to the canvas of cinema. It's sad that we are not relying on genuine peaceful dialogue."

This is the festival organiser's response to Prasoon Joshi's withdrawal. Please add to my story

"We respect the stand that Joshi has taken. There is no place for violence in the narrative of a new India. And those who ignite the flame of hatred will be consumed by it," said Sanjoy K Roy, the producer of Zee JLF.

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