Padmaavat protests continue: Cinema halls torched in Gujarat; Chittor Fort shut down

The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the pleas of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments for not screening Padmaavat

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Gujarat’s Rajkot women from ‘Padmaavat Sangharsh Samiti’ held a press conference to demand a ban the movie.

 

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.

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