A day after Supreme Court refused to ban the release of controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat, several instances of violent protests were reported in states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Mobs took to streets and indulged in arson even as Rajput Karni Sena continued with its defiant stand to block the film’s release.
The apex court on Tuesday rejected the plea by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to ban the film which is scheduled to be released on Thursday. “It’s an order, better abide by it. You (states) can advise people not to watch the movie,” the court had observed.
In Haryana, protesters torched bus and pelted stones at Gurugram’s Sohna Road. Clubs and bars in Gurugram have been ordered to remain closed from 7 pm on 24th January till further orders. Section 144 has been imposed in Gurgaon till Sunday to maintain law and order.
#WATCH: Protesters torched bus and pelted stones in protest against #Padmaavat at Gurugrams’ Sohna Road. #Haryana pic.twitter.com/B13t6l8XuI
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
Haryana: Protesters torched a bus & pelted stones at #Gurugram‘s Sohna Road in protest against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/YyoOjvH7Qc
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
In Rajasthan, protests were witnessed near Chittorgarh Fort and for the second time in its history, the fort had to be closed down. Meanwhile, the Multiplex Association of India decided not to screen Padmaavat in theatres acrossn Gujarat and Rajasthan, keeping in mind the safety of the customers.
Rajasthan: Protests staged in the area near Chittorgarh Fort in protest against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/Sybospb4u6
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018
In Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, violent mobs targeted multiplexes, blocked roads and torching parked vehicles. Police had to fire in the air to scatter the mobs. More than 150 four-wheelers and two-wheelers were damaged. Three city malls — Acropolis, Ahmedabad One, Himalaya Mall — and Cinemex, the standalone theatre complex, came under attack despite having declared that they won’t screen the film, reports the Hindustan Times.
Several disturbances were also reported in Uttar Pradesh and security has been tightened across the state.
Meerut: Stones pelted at PVS mall allegedly in protest against #Padmaavat. Police deployed on the spot, investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/WmmaZG5K1V
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018
Protest against #Padmavaat in Mathura, protesters stop train at Bhuteshwar railway station pic.twitter.com/UlEPjUZ4yz
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018
(With inputs from ANI)
