Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial film ‘Padmaavat’ continues to face roadblocks by several fringe and right wing groups, even as the Shree Rajput Karni Sena, the group spearheading the protests, said on Monday that it is read to watch the periodic drama as offered by Bhansali productions ahead of the release.
In Rajasthan, protesters in Rajsamand and Barmer blocked highways while a youth climbed a mobile phone network on Monday protesting release of the film.
The Rajasthan government, meanwhile, invited the Mewar royal family and the Karni Sena, which is leading the protests, to become party to its petition in the Supreme Court against an earlier ruling that lifted the ban on the movie in the state.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) too joined other right wing groups demanding that the film should not be allowed to be screened.
"Hindu organisations should hit the streets to lodge a strong protest against the film in a democratic manner. The issue is not concerned only with Rajputs but all Hindu castes that sacrificed lives in Jauhar," VHP international working president Praveen Togadia said.
He said the VHP, Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organisations should not let the film release in the country.
Talking to reporters at the Jaipur International Airport, Togadia demanded that the Centre bring an ordinance to ban the film's release as it did with regard to the Supreme Court order in the 'Jallikattu' case.
"If it does not happen then people should taken part in 'Janta curfew' to not let the film release," he added.
Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena president Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi also demanded that the Centre should take steps to stop the film release.
In Haryana’s Gurgaon, protesters vandalised a bus at national highway number 8.
Earlier in the day, the Haryana Government announced its decision to implement the Supreme Court order cancelling ban the state imposed on the film Padmaavat along with Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, Leaders of the Karni Sena met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and demanded a ban on the film in the state.
People will impose "janta curfew" in cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh if the movie is screened, said Karni Sena patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi.
Kalvi, who listed nearly 40 different objections with regard to the movie, demanded that films on the lives of Maharana Pratap, Shivaji and other eminent personalities be made.
"We urge the prime minister to ban the film and we are hopeful that he will meet our request. We hope that the Centre will act. We ask the public as to whether it is on the side of Padmavati or Alauddin Khilji. Whether it is on the side of Ram or Ravan?" he posed.
"The censor board must respect public sentiments... The Supreme Court is supreme, there is no doubt in that. CBFC is also no less supreme, and it should had enquired from the state governments about the law and order... I told the CMs whom I had met that you are worried about the law and order situation, and I am concerned about 'Padmaavat'. The point of concern for both of us is same," Kalvi told reporters.
