Ahmed a bad on the edge over Padmaavat release
VIOLENT TURN Karni Sena denies role in the arson, names 6member panel to ‘vet’ the film
NEW DELHI/JAIPUR/JODHPUR: Violence and arson hit Ahmedabad on Tuesday night shortly after a candle march by Karni Sena activists against the January 25 release of controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat.
More than 150 four-wheelers and two-wheelers were damaged as mobs went on the rampage after 8pm, targeting three malls with multiplexes and a standalone theatre complex in the western part of the city.
Karni Sena’s Gujarat unit chief Raj Shekhwat said their activists had nothing to do with the vandalism. “The violence is condemnable. Karni Sena is not involved in the incidents,” he added.
Three city malls — Acropolis, Ahmedabad One, Himalaya Mall — and Cinemex, the standalone theatre complex, came under attack despite theatre owners in the city declaring they would not screen Padmaavat.
Windows of parked fourwheelers were smashed and two-wheelers were set on fire.
Flames billowed near the entrance of Acropolis and Himalaya Mall well past 10pm.
“Those inside the malls and theatres were safely evacuated. No one was reported injured,” said a senior police officer. “Our priority was to take control of the situation, which was done. We will conduct an investigation and book the miscreants,” he said.
Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said, “The government has made an appeal for peace. Action will be taken against lawbreakers.”
Patel added, “The (Gujarat) government had put a ban on the release, but following the SC verdict, its screening cannot be stopped. However, the theatre owners had voluntarily declared that they would not screen it.”
Rajasthan said extra forces would be deployed for the film’s release. Uttarakhand said theatres screening the movie would be provided security.
“Now, we have no other alternative but to ensure law and order... and that we will do,” said Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria.
The state’s additional director general of police (law and order), NRK Reddy, said all district superintendents of police had been asked to remain alert. “The challenge for the police will be to deal with issues arising out of Padmaavat’s release, Republic Day and the five-day long Jaipur Literature Festival starting from January 25,” he added.
The censor board cleared the movie in December-end after a name change — from the earlier Padmavati — but caste groups, led by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, are not satisfied.
Hours after the SC refused to reinstate the ban, Sena patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi reiterated his threat of a janta (public) curfew if the film was released. “It is disheartening to know that the Supreme Court hasn’t respected public sentiment,” he said.
Later in the day in Jaipur, Rajput outfits urged the Centre to ban the film. “If the government does not take cognizance of the situation and bring an ordinance within 24 hours, then the situation will deteriorate,” said Giriraj Singh Lotwara, president of Shree Rajput Sabha.
In Jodhpur, before a bench of the Rajasthan HC, producers of the film agreed to a private screening if security was ensured. Meanwhile, the Karni Sena responded to a letter by Bhansali productions and disclosed a six member panel would watch the film before its release.
Uttarakhand director general of police (DGP) Anil Raturi said adequate arrangements had been made. The secretary of the Uttarakhand Cinema Association, Suyash Agarwal, said the movie would be released only if the police provided theatres with adequate security. Protests continued to rage across UP and MP.