Padmaavat row: Karni Sena leader Lokendra Kalvi banks on 'janta curfew', seeks support of theatre owners

The Shree Rajput Karni Sena, which is opposing Padmaavat, said on Tuesday that it was banking on the support of theatre owners as well as citizens for ensuring that the movie is not screened or watched.

Members of the Karni Sena and other outfits have resorted to violence at many places in Gujarat, and other states over the past few weeks to protest against the release of the movie, which they claim distorts history and shows legendary Rajput queen Padmavati in poor light. Gujarat and Rajasthan were among the states that had banned the movie, but the Supreme Court struck down the ban.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected the plea by Rajasthan and MP governments seeking a recall of its earlier order on the grounds of law and order.  Karni Sena's plea to ban the film as it allegedly distorted history, was also rejected. 

Having exhausted all legal options, Karni Sena said it would talk to theatre owners and convince them not to screen the film.

“We are going to talk with theatre owners and multiplexes and ask them not to show Padmaavat. We will also appeal to people not to watch the movie as it distorts history and hurts sentiments of the Rajput community,” Karni Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi, told DNA over the phone.

The Karni Sena leader was slated to address a press conference in Ahmedabad, but it was called off.

Kalvi said that he was in Porbandar. He claimed ignorance when pointed out that many theatres and multiplexes in Ahmedabad have agreed to screen Padmaavat after being provided police security.

He said that they have already responded to Padmaavat maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's offer to watch the movie before it is released.

GSRTC takes Rs2 cr-hit

Talking with reporters in Gandhinagar, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said that the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation suffered a loss of Rs2 crore as a result of violence in the state by those protesting Padmaavat.

“Five buses were set on fire, while as many as 14 other buses were damaged. Lives of passengers and drivers-conductors were also put in danger. The state government has tried its best to maintain law and order,” he said.