Amid the raging controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie Padmavati, members of the right-wing groups, including BJP-affiliate National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF) organised a lecture to discuss the "historical relevance" of Rani Padmini at Delhi University's Daulat Ram College on Wednesday.

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The panel members included Balmukund Pandey, national organising secretary, RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Itihaas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY), UGC member Indra Mohan Kapahy, IGNOU professor Kapil Kumar and general secretary NDTF Virendra Singh Negi. According to them, the Indian history has constantly been "distorted" by "communist forces" since Independence.

Rejecting that there is no "historical evidence" to substantiate the existence of Rani Padmini, Pandey said,"She was a historical figure and her existence has been discussed by the historians on several occasions."

"The history of India has been distorted by the communists ever since Independence. Communist historians have nothing to with the Indian culture and legends. They have always tried to transform 'Bharat' into India'," he added.

Pandey's sentiments were echoed by other panellists, who supported the ongoing countrywide protests against the movie."It's very important that our students do not misinterpret the historical relevance of Rani Padmini on the basis of the wrong facts promoted by the communists," said IGNOU professor Kapil Kumar, adding why the so-called communists and "feminists" didn't speak up when women were being sold by IS's chief Baghdadi. Bhansali's Padmavati has been mired in controversy ever since the film's shoot started. The film, scheduled to release on December 1, has now been postponed by the filmmakers.

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  • Bhansali’s Padmavati has been mired in controversy ever since the film’s shoot started. The film, scheduled to release on December 1, has now been postponed by the filmmakers.