Karni Sena expels members for declaring protest withdrawal
PADMAAVAT ROW Group’s national president says their protest will continue against Bhansali’s film JAIPUR:
A day after a letter announcing withdrawing protests against Padmaavat circulated on social media, the group’s national president on Saturday said the protest will continue and expelled members who saw the film in Mumbai.
Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena national vice-president Yogendra Singh Katar who signed the letter, could not be contacted as the mobile phone number mentioned in letter was switched off on Saturday.
Addressing a news conference in Jaipur, Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena national president Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, said he was investigating about the letter and an emergency meeting of the body had been called on February 6, to discuss the issue.
“Whoever went to watch the film (from the association) yesterday did so in their personal capacity and we will continue to oppose the film and appeal to everyone not to give credence to rumours,” Gogamedi said in a release.
On Friday, a letter on the official letterhead of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena claiming that some members of the group had seen the film in Mumbai on instruction from Gogamedi and found nothing objectionable.
“The movie glorifies the valour and sacrifice of Rajput and every Rajput will feel proud after watching the film,” the letter signed by Katar, said.
Following which, Shri Rajput Karni Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi called a press conference in Jaipur to say that the group will continue to oppose the film.
He even questioned the authenticity of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, without naming it.
“There is some duplicity going on in the name of Karni Sena and eight such bodies have sprouted over the years,” he said.
“There are people giving statements on behalf of Karni Sena, but there is only one Karni Sena and our stand is clear that Padmaavat should not have been released.”
Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and Shri Rajput Karni Sena have been demanding a ban on Bhansali’s period drama film starring Ranvir Singh and Deepika Padukone, claiming that the film distorted history of Mewar.
Rajasthan had banned the release of the film following Rajputs’ protest but Supreme Court lifted the ban.
The film released in theatres across India on January 25 amid tight security and protest from different groups, including Karni Sena.
Cinema owners and film distributors in Rajasthan, however, decided not the exhibit the film on their own.