MNS takes a u-turn over security cover to ‘Padmaavat’

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday took u-turn over its stand regarding ‘Padmaavat’ and said stand of Shalini Thackeray, working president of Chitrapat Karmachari Sena is not party’s official stand.

Thackeray, on Tuesday had supported release of Padmaavat and had extended to provide security if needed in Mumbai and across the state.

Avinash Abhyankar, party spokesperson completely disowned offer of security to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actors of film Padmavat made by Thackeray. Abhyankar clarified it is not the stand of MNS to grant security cover to the film.

As Abhyankar has clarified official stand of the party, it would be possible for MNS party workers to stage protest against the movie at malls and single screen theatres. Jaykumar Rawal, minister for tourism and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also said the state government will give protection to release the movie, however, he personally will continue his oppose to the film.

Meanwhile, Thackeray had said if anyone tries to stop the release of Padmavat in Mumbai or Maharashtra then the MNS is quite capable of protecting the director and actors of the film. She argued it was wrong on the part of the Karni Sena to have opposed the film after the Censor Board has cleared the film and the Supreme Court of India (SC) has given relief to the producers. She also termed the Karni Senas Bharat Bandh call as wrong. The SC has issued directives for release of the film, yet the Multiplex owners out of fear of incurring damages have decided not to release the film in Gujarat.

Referring to the SC giving relief to the producers of the movie and directing its release, the Karni Sena is needlessly opposing the film. It is not the stand of MNS to grant security cover to the film. It would be possible for MNS party workers to stage protest against the movie at malls and single screen theatres AVINASH ABHYANKAR MNS Party Spokesperson