No ‘Padmaavat’ Show in Rajasthan, UP on Alert

JAIPUR:
Arterial roads were blocked, shops vandalised and bike rallies taken out today as protests against “Padmaavat” continued in parts of Rajasthan, where theatre owners refused to screen the film in view of the law and order situation.
The Rajput Karni Sena said it had taken out a bike rally in Jaipur and in other areas against the film, which was released across the country today. “Our protest against the film is continuing. The Shree Rajput Karni Sena took out a bike rally in Jaipur and similar protests took place in other areas also,” said the group’s president Mahipal Makrana.
According to Additional Director General of Police N R K Reddy, demonstrations and protests had taken place in various parts of the state, including Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Dungarpur and Banswara. “Barring a few incidents, the situation is under control.
Policemen have already been deployed in affected areas,” he said. Protesters blocked the Kota-Bundi highway. There were also reports of a blockade on the Udaipur-Chittorgarh road and traffic being disrupted on Dungarpur-Ahmedabad road.
About two dozen shops were damaged in stone pelting incidents in Udaipur. Elaborate security arrangements were in place in the state capital Jaipur, where the five-day Jaipur Literature Festival began today.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period film, which some Rajput groups allege defames their queen Padmini, has not been released in the state as film hall owners and members of multiplex associations decided not to screen it in view of the tenuous law and order situation. Everyone is concerned about safety and security so there are few queries about the film,” said Govind Gupta, manager of Entertainment Paradise.
“The film is not being released in the state and people know this,” he added. The Multiplex Association of India, which represents about 75 per cent of multiplex owners, has said the film would not be screened in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa.
Tension was palpable across cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh where the controversial film “Padmaavat” opened today with armed policemen stationed at vantage points and fire tenders waiting in readiness in case of trouble. In the state capital, Lucknow, the film was screened at several theatres such as Novelty, Shubham and Pratibha though none reported ‘House Full’.
“We expect a better turnout in the later shows. In the morning shows, the halls were not full because of two reasons – the cold and tension in the minds of people that the halls may be attacked by fringe groups objecting to the movie,” a hall manager said, requesting anonymity.
There was heavy police deployment outside halls in other parts of the state screening the film. “The security around cinema halls has been increased. We will not let anyone take law in their hand,” a senior police official said.
He said an alert had been sounded in the state and all district police chiefs asked to remain vigilant. Forces are on standby to maintain law and order, he said.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Anand Kumar has directed all district police chiefs to ensure that the force remains alert, especially at malls and cinema halls, with anti-riot gear. “Enough police force should be kept in reserve so that it can be deployed when needed. Local intelligence units should also be alerted to keep an eye of unscrupulous elements so that effective timely action is taken,” he said.
All SHOs and senior officers were directed to patrol their areas and keep an eye on the situation to avoid untoward incidents. “In view of (possible) dharnas, agitations, traffic jams, arson, all measures should be taken in advance and strict legal action should be initiated against those involved in such acts,” he said.
Fearing violence and damage, cinema hall and multiplexes in Gorakhpur were, however, unwilling to screen the film. SRS Cinemas, for instance, in the town was scheduled to screen the movie but the manager decided not to do so after protests by Hindu organisations.
Members of a fringe group, the Kanpur Kshatriya Mahasabha, yesterday announced a cash reward to anyone who chops off actor Deepika Padukone’s nose. Several activists staged protests outside two malls in Gomti Nagar area of the state capital. Police, however, managed to control the situation and detained a few activists.