Padmaavat release: Karni Sena calls for ‘Bharat bandh’ on January 25
The organization also warned theater owners not to screen the movie. Kalvi told media persons during a press brief in Jaipur on Saturday that it was now up to theater owners to decide whether the day would be celebrated as ‘Diwali’ or it would witness a ‘Lanka Dahan’.
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Padmavat row: Lokendra Singh Kalvi addressing a press conference.
Jaipur: Shri Rajput Karni Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi who is spearheading the protest against Padmaavat has called for a nationwide bandh on January 25 when the movie is slated for release in theaters across the country.
The organization also warned theater owners not to screen the movie. Kalvi told media persons during a press brief in Jaipur on Saturday that it was now up to theater owners to decide whether the day would be celebrated as ‘Diwali’ or it would witness a ‘Lanka Dahan’.
“It is up to cinema hall owners to decide whether they are on the side of Khilji or Queen Padmini, whether they are on the side of Rama or Ravana,” Kalvi said.
“January 25 will be a day when the people will voluntarily impose a curfew,” he added.
He also showed media persons a copy of the letter written by the production company of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In the letter, Karni Sena has been invited to watch the movie, assuring the organization that the queen has been portrayed with utmost dignity.
Kalvi however termed the letter a ploy. “We have been reached out to by the movie people when it has been cleared for release. We didn’t receive the same invitation before the release date was announced and it was cleared by the Censor Board. It shows ill-will on part of the producers. They now have an excuse that they had approached us,” said Kalvi.
Bhansali production’s letter to Karni Sena on Padmaavat.
Worried over the possible law and order situation on the day of the release, Rajasthan government are holding talks with the Rajput community organization
State home minister Gulab Chand Kataria invited Kalvi and other community leaders for a meeting inside his chambers in the state secretariat on Saturday. Senior home department and police officials including DGP OP Galhotra, ADG PK Singh and several other officials were also present in the meeting.
Rajasthan home minister Golab Chand Kataria holding a meeting with Rajput community leaders.
The Rajasthan government had banned Bhansali’s Padmaavat, the Ranveer Singh – Deepika Padukone – Shahid Kapoor starrer film was cleared for release on January 25 across the country when the Supreme Court lifted a four-state ban on the movie.
The Censor Board had earlier allowed the producers to release the movie after they agreed to some amendments. The movie’s name was changed to Padmaavat from Padmavati.
