States strengthen security after SC nod to Padmaavat
NEW DELHI/JAIPUR/JODHPUR: Many states braced on Tuesday to deal with law and order problems after the Supreme Court cleared the release of controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat as protesters continued demanded a central ordinance banning the period drama.
Rajasthan said extra forces will be pressed into service for the film that releases on Thursday and Uttarakhand said theatres showing the movie will be provided security.
“Now, we have no other alternative but to ensure law and order situation in the state and that we will do,” said Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria.
Additional Director General (Law and order) NRK Reddy said additional forces will be pressed into service and all district superintendents of police have been asked to remain alert.
“The challenge for the police will be to deal with law and order issues arising out of Padmaavat release, Republic Day and five-day long Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) starting from January 25,” he said.
Protesters allege distortion of history in the depiction of a legendary Rajput queen, Padmini, in the film – a charge dismissed by the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The censor board cleared the movie last week 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 the public sentiments.”
Later in the day in Jaipur, Rajput outfits urged the central government to issue an ordinance banning the film and annul the certification received by the movie.
“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 high court, producers of the film agreed to a private screening if law and order was ensured. The court is hearing a petition to quash an FIR against Bhansali, actor Deepika Padukone (who plays Padmini), and Ranveer Singh (who plays Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji) for hurting religious sentiments.
‘We told the court today that the producers is ready for the private screening of the film, but it is important to ensure the law and order. The public prosecutor sought the time for reply. After the government’s response, the court will order the screening, said Nishant Bora, counsel for Bhansali.
Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Raturi said there are enough arrangements to tackle any untoward situation that might arise after the film’s release. Additional Director General of Police, Ashok Kumar, instructed the superintendents of all the districts to provide ample security to all the theatres in their area. The secretary of Uttarakhand Cinema Association Suyash Agarwal has said that the movie would be released in the state only if the police provides theatres with adequate security. There are nearly 50 theatres -single screen and multi-screen -- in the state.
Protests against the film continued to rage across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In Lucknow, newly appointed Director General Of Police OP Singh said appropriate action would be taken at appropriate time, when asked about law and order problems around Padmaavat.