Padmavati protests intensify in Rajasthan, outfits threaten strike

Protests against the Deepika-starrer Padmavati are steadily growing in scale across Rajasthan. Various state-based community organisations, political leaders, legislators are beefing up their demand for a ban on the Bhansali movie. The demand for the formation of a panel to preview the movie before release is also gaining momentum, with threats range from bandhs to protests.

Rajput outfit Karni Sena has called for a Rajasthan Bandh on November 30 while the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha will hold a protest rally at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

The protests have started to turn violent as Karni Sena on Tuesday vandalised a cinema hall in Kota and warned the cinema hall administration to not release the film. Eight persons were arrested in this connection. Salumbar town of Udaipur district remained shut down due to a bandh.

Residents of Chittorgarh, where the story of Padmavati is based, have started a protest at the foot of the fort. They have threatened that it will be closed down from November 17 if the ban is not carried out.

Acharya Dharmendra, of the Ramjanm Bhumi-Mukti Andolan, on Tuesday demanded that history should not be distorted and stressed on the need for a 'Community based Censor Board' to clear films and TV serials with historical background. "I am in touch with great saints of the country and we are planning to organise a committee which will develop 'Community Censor Board' to analyse films based on history and religion, and will hold them back if it is found offensive," he said.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday reiterated that no one would be allowed to the law in their hands.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje faces pressure from within her flock as two MLAs of BJP, Gyan Dev Ahuja, MLA from Alwar of Ramgarh Constituency, and Shaitan Singh Rathore, MLA from Jaisalmer, have written to her and in no uncertain terms demanded that the film be banned.

Even as the release date for the film comes closer, the state government has no plan of action to contain the tension.