Looks like ‘Padmaavat’ ban has gone to another level now, as 200 Rajput women in Rajasthan marched with swords in Chittorgarh city for a self-respect ‘Swabhimaan’ rally and pronged up the pressure with memorandums to ban ‘Padmaavat’, or give them permission to end their lives. Rajput groups are forcing the government to consider over the security measures ahead of the movie’s release on January 25th. The Rajput body has called on janta (public) curfew across the country on January 25th.
The women were marching under the banner of Jauhar Kshatrani Manch, Shri Rajput Karni Sena, and Jauhar Smriti Sansthan, they gave the memorandums addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Rajasthan governor, and Chief Minister. “They gave us the memoranda seeking a countrywide ban on the film,” said Suresh Kumar Khatik, sub-divisional officer of Chittorgarh.
The government of Rajasthan has marked that they will review petition on Monday in the Supreme Court against the top court’s order that stayed the decision of some states to ban the film’s screening. The Swabhimaan rally started from Jauhar Sthal in Chittorgarh fort, where queen Padmini and 16,000 other Rajput women are said to have committed jauhar (self-immolation) in the year 1303, preferring to die rather than be captured by Alauddin Khilji, then Muslim king of Delhi.
The Jauhar Smriti Sansthan launched a two-day seminar named Padmini Ek Vastavikta’ in Chittorgarh to bring out the historical truth about Queen Padmini. “To protect Rajput pride, we will shut the doors of our forts,” said Mahipal Singh Makrana, president of the Karni Sena.
Makrana said, “You defend the country throughout the year. For one day, defend the honour of your sisters and daughters.” The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) suspended its bus services in northern parts of the state following violent protests against ‘Padmaavat’s’ release.
GSRTC secretary KD Desai said, “Owing to the attacks on state buses in some parts of north Gujarat yesterday, we have temporarily suspended our operations for Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar, Mehsana, and Banaskantha. The services for other destinations, such as in central and south Gujarat, are on as per the schedule.”
He further said, “Thus, we have decided to halt the operations. We are in constant touch with police and will resume the service as soon as the situation becomes normal.”
Kshatriya Mahasabha said, “We took to the streets and staged our protest in a Gandhian way. However, if the cinema hall owners don’t pay heed to our request and go ahead with the release of the movie, they will be responsible for any situation. We will stage our protest on January 24 again.”
Rajput youth chanted, “Har woh cinema ghar jalega jisme Padmaavat chalega (All cinema halls screening Padmaavat would be set on fire).”
Pratapgarh MP Harivansh Singh said, “Our youth are talking to cinema hall owners on the issue. We respect the Supreme Court, but at the same time, the society is feeling hurt at the manner in which our sentiments have been hurt by the cinematic depiction of the character of a queen who is revered by Rajputs.”
UP police said, “It’s a categorical order and we will do what the honourable court has ordered. As far as protests are concerned, we will persuade protesters not to take the law into their hands.”
