Right before Padmaavat’s worldwide release, protesters from the fringe groups are wrecking havoc in the country, with Mumbai and Haryana police assuring full security to cinema halls. Protesters in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, Surat and parts of north Gujarat have now resorted to violence.
#LatestVisuals from outside Ahmedabad’s Himalaya Mall where shops were vandalised and vehicles parked outside were torched in protest against #Padmaavat yesterday pic.twitter.com/le6cs0hTzU
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
The Indian Express states that at least three malls in Ahmedabad – Acropolis, Himalaya and Ahmedabad One – were targeted by the mob. The hall owners told the news agency that they had planned on not screening the movie but they were still attacked.
Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief of Gujarat cell told the news agency that they have appealed for peaceful protests but the ’emotions are running high’.
Gujarat’s deputy Chief Minister, Nitin Patel also told the Hindu that no one will be allowed to take law into their hands and spread violence.
Vehicles torched by Karni Sena volunteers outside Himalaya Mall on Drive In Road in Ahmedabad. #Padmavaat @the_hindu @nistula @abaruah64 pic.twitter.com/jF9RepeeDw
— Mahesh Langa (@LangaMahesh) January 23, 2018
Surat police commissioner Satish Sharma said that they had arrested 23 people till Monday and arrested 20 more on Wednesday. “We have lodged a complaint against leaders of different organisations. We have identified such leaders and will arrest them soon,” he told the Indian Express.
Incidents tk place at 3-4 locations simultaneously.Police managed to stop protesters frm entering multiplexes&malls.48 ppl were picked up last night frm various locations under act of rioting.Key conspirators identified after interrogation,4 FIRs registered:AK Singh,CP, Ahmedabad
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
And a few days ago about 500 Rajput women marched in protest against the movie in Rajasthan’ Chittorgarh, threatening to commit jauhar if the movie is screened. The administration has heightened the security of the Chittor fort ahead of such threats.
Rajasthan: Security heightened in Chittorgarh ahead of release of film #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/lzBlxigdtb
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
In Gujarat’s Rajkot women from ‘Padmaavat Sangharsh Samiti’ held a press conference to demand a ban the movie.
In Rajkot #Padmaavat Sangharsh Samiti women wing hold press conference demanding ban on the controversial film. @nistula @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/lpCAGeCbmG
— Mahesh Langa (@LangaMahesh) January 24, 2018
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the pleas of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for not screening the movie in these states. Earlier even Haryana and Gujarat were apprehensive about screening the movie in their states. But, the bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra said “…People must understand that it (CBFC) is a statutory body. Supreme Court has passed an order. People have to abide by it. If they don’t like it, don’t watch.”
In Haryana’s Gurgaon protestors blocked the Wazirpur-Pataudi road by burning tyres, ANI reported.
Protesters block Gurgaon’s Wazirpur-Pataudi road agitating against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/CpzSJ7SEj5
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
