ZEE JLF starts under shadow of Karni Sena-threat

The 11th edition of ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival gets underway in the Rajasthan capital on Thursday in the shadow of violence by the Karni Sena protesting the release of the film Padmaavat. In light of the threat, security has been heightened in and around Diggi Palace, the venue of the festival, according to producer Sanjoy K Roy.

On Wednesday, the Karni Sena blockaded the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Kalwaad. Many, travelling from Delhi to attend the festival in Jaipur, were held up as a result. The Jaipur police commissioner also conducted security briefings on the front lawns of Diggi Palace. "Every year, the commissioner puts in adequate security to prevent any untoward situation. There will be lots of security personnel to ensure the smooth running of the festival," said Roy.

"This year, the threat is even more than normal."

The Karni Sena's muscle-flexing, however, does not seem to have caused a dip in the enthusiasm of festival visitors. Till Tuesday, as many as 80,000 people had registered to attend the festival, leading the organisers to discontinue the service, said Roy.