Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial movie "Padmaavat" hit theatres today amid continuing violent protests across the country by fringe groups. Rajput Karni Sena continued to fiercely oppose the controversial film, even as cinema hall owners and multiplexes in Rajasthan decided not to screen the movie in view of the law-and-order situation.
As a precautionary measure, security has been tightened in different parts of the country. The Karni Sena has given a call for 'Bharat Bandh' today.
Earlier in the day, Supreme Court agreed to hear on January 29 two separate petitions seeking contempt action against four state governments and Rajput Karni Sena for violating its order allowing the all India release of the movie.
Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was also filed before Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking action against Karni Sena activists for disturbing peace.
The 18 men who had been arrested for attacking a school bus in Gurugram, were sent to 14-day judicial custody by the Sohna Court.
Here are the LIVE updates:
5:31 am: I want to establish peace by offering roses, says Suraj Pal Amu
5:30 pm: BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu taken into custody by Gurugram police.
5:00 pm: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking action against Karni Sena activists for disturbing peace.
4:38 pm:
3:40 pm: Accused in Gurugram school bus attack sent to 14-day judicial custody by Sohna court
3:15 pm: Violent protests seen in Bihar's Motihari against Padmaavat, tyres also burnt by agitators
3:00 pm: Kshatriya Mahasabha president Gajendra Singh said that the Kshatriya community will contribute and give the person a reward of Rs 1 Crore who chops off Deepika Padukone's ears and nose
2:20 pm: FIR registered in Gurugram in connection with an incident of torching a Haryana Roadways bus yesterday.
1:40 pm: Protesters vandalise vehicles of the owner of SCM Cinemas in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh.
1:30 pm: Man detained for trying to self immolate outside a cinema hall in Varanasi.
1:10 pm: Shops vandalised in Udaipur during protest against Padmaavat.
1:00 pm: I could not sleep last night because of the attack on Gurugram school bus yesterday. If our children are pelted with stones on Republic Day eve, just a few kilometers away from the national capital, it is a shame for the entire nation, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
12:36 pm: Karni Sena members present roses to people outside Lucknow's Novelty cinema appealing them to not watch the film.
12:25 pm: Supreme Court to hear on January 29 two separate petitions seeking contempt action against four state governments and Rajput Karni Sena for violating its order allowing the all India release of the movie.
11:53 am:
11: 39 am:
11: 38 am:
11:32 am: Screening canceled in all theaters of Allahabad
11: 30 am:
11:27 am: Delhi High Court refused to entertain a plea against the film Padmaavat, asked the petitioner to approach Supreme Court
11: 23 am: A contempt petition has been filed against four states in the Supreme Court. Petitioner has said that the four states have failed to maintain law and order.
11:20 am: A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against three members of fringe outfit Karni Sena for violating apex court order.
11:00 am: Violent protests by Karni Sena members reported from Lucknow, police resort to lathicharge.
10: 17 am: Heavy security seen near Chittor fort in Rajasthan, which has been closed for the second time in history.
10:00 am: Hyderabad, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana too saw enhanced security arrangements in the wake of protests.
9:24 am: Security tightened across the country, particularly outside theatres in Gujarat, Rajasthan.
WATCH: FROM BIKE RALLY IN JAIPUR TO BRANDISHING SWORDS IN BIHAR OVER PADMAAVAT ROW
CONTEMPT PETITION IN SC AGAINST FOUR STATES, KARNI SENA
WATCH VIDEO OF PADMAAVAT PROTESTS:
Agitators demanding a ban on the film attacked a school bus in Haryana's Gurugram on Wednesday afternoon. More than a dozen children of the GD Goenka World School were traveling in the bus with teachers and staff when stones were pelted on their vehicle by a frenzied mob. However, the driver managed to drive away from the attackers and maneuvered the bus to safety. Bus windows were damaged but students escaped unhurt.
In wake of the violence, some reputed schools in Gurugram have decided to remain shut till Sunday, including Pathways school, G D Goenka school, Shiv Nadar school and Delhi Public School.
Karni Sena denied any role in stone pelting on the school bus, with the fringe group's spokesperson saying "Rajputs can never think of attacking a school bus. This is a plot being created by politicians, who wish to weaken our peaceful protest"
At least 18 people have been arrested in connection with the Gurugram school bus attack in the last 24 hours.
Considering the present security scenario and anticipated protests, security forces are maintaining a strict vigil throughout the nation, particularly outside theatres.
Meanwhile, Multiplex Association of India on Wednesday said its members would not screen the period drama in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa.
The decision of the association, which represents about 75 per cent of the multiplex owners in the country, came as Rajput outfits and other fringe elements vandalised malls, burned vehicles, and issued open threats to theatre owners and public in their bid to stall its release, claiming distortion of history.
