Nirupama Rao slams Karni Sena for attacking schoolbus: We are self-delusional if we think we’ve arrived globally

Former Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao has lashed out at the Karni Sena for pelting stones at a school bus following protests over the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Padmaavat.

Taking to Twitter, Rao wrote, "All the perfumes of Davos cannot mask the foul odour of caste prejudice, backwardness,hubris, and thuggery that stain our democracy. But when do we listen and learn? We are self-delusional if we think we’ve arrived at the global high table."

All the perfumes of Davos cannot mask the foul odour of caste prejudice, backwardness,hubris, and thuggery that stain our democracy. But when do we listen and learn? We are self-delusional if we think we’ve arrived at the global high table. https://t.co/GranWSX23q

— Nirupama Menon Rao (@NMenonRao) January 24, 2018

Around 20-25 students of a leading Gurugram school had a narrow escape when a frenzied mob protesting the release of Bollywood film 'Padmaavat' attacked their bus. The attackers threw stones at the school bus, smashing its windows.

However, the police said that nobody was injured. A video of the incident went viral on social media just minutes after the incident on Wednesday showing terrified students ducking and crying in fear.

Video of school bus attacked today in Gurugram by anti-Padmavati cowards. This is the aukat of groups like the Karni Sena: attackers of little kids. May the men responsible for this never be able to walk again. pic.twitter.com/4ZFKvJboKc

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) January 24, 2018

The G D Goenka World School students were on their way home when a group of around 60 protesters, believed to be members of a fringe group, attacked the bus with bamboo sticks asking the driver to stop the vehicle.

In another incident, a Haryana Roadways bus was set afire near Bhondsi village. However, no one was injured.

Police had earlier implemented prohibitory orders in Gurugram banning large gatherings. Despite prohibitory orders in Gurgaon, hundreds of Shree Rajput Karni Sena supporters also protested at Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

Significantly, a few days back, Haryana Director General of Police, B S Sandhu had cautioned the troublemakers asserting that nobody would be allowed to disrupt peace in the state. The police had also said that it would provide adequate security to the cinema halls that screen the movie on January 25.