With protest and violence spread in the State just a day ahead of the release of Sanjay leela Bhansali's film 'Padmaavat', director general of police, OP Singh, issued directives to maintain peace during screening of the film. Singh, claimed that peaceful protest could be carried out by any group but anyone taking law in his hand will be dealt with tough hands.
"We have alerted all the districts and have directed them to ensure security at all the theatres, multiplexes, PVRs etc which will screen the film," ADG Anand Kumar said here on Wednesday. The ADG said that there are some reports of violence in Kanpur, Noida, Mathura, Etawah and other places. "We have instructed the concerned districts to take stern action against the people indulged in violence," he said.
Anand Kumar claimed that as per the directives of the DGP, all the district police chiefs have been asked to ensure safety measures at all the theaters screening the film while the local intelligence agencies should be geared up to collect inputs of any possible trouble. Kumar said that the officers were asked to hold talks with those deciding to stage a protest and only allow them to stage peaceful demonstration and at no cost, anyone be allowed to indulge in violence. The local officers have been also asked to form special groups which could defuse any SOS situation during release of the film.
According to the reports, supporters of Karni Sena and other organisations protested in Noida and ransacked a theatre in Kanpur. In Mathura too, protesters stopped a train at Bhuteshwar railway station for some time demanding from the government not to release the film. In Etawah, over 300 protesters blocked National Highway and had also staged a violent protest torching and damaging several vehicles on Wednesday noon. Heated arguments ensued between the protesters, who included members of Karni Sena, and the police when the Rajput group members tried to damage a hall. later heavy police force reached the spot and opened lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Around 100 Karni Sena activists armed with sticks burnt an effigy of Bhansali, the film's director, threatening to stop screening of the film.
The film, which was earlier named "Padmavati" and was slated for a December 1 release, will now hit theatres nationwide on Thursday. The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on the saga of the 13th century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin
Khilji of Delhi. The film has been been facing protests by Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that it distorts historical facts. The film's producers have denied the allegations. The Supreme Court last week paved the way for its nationwide release by staying the notifications and orders issued by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat - all ruled by the BJP - prohibiting exhibition of the film in the states. The apex court also restrained other states from issuing such notifications or orders banning the screening of the movie.
===========