Jaipur, Nov 16 (IANS) Opposition to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmavati” continued to grow with a Karni Sena leader on Thursday threatening actress Deepika Padukone with physical harm over her “provocative statements”, while a Brahmin group held a blood signature campaign demanding a ban on the film. The Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah also issued a statement requesting a ban.

On Wednesday, dubbing Deepika Padukone’s statement regarding “Padmavati” provocative, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ (shutdown) on December 1 if Bhansali’s movie was released on that date.

Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, on Wednesday while addressing a press conference here had dubbed Padukone’s statement that “nothing can stop the movie’s release”, as “provocative”.

Mahipal Singh Makrana, state president of Shri Rajput Karni Sena, told IANS on Thursday, “No Kshatriya would ever raise hand on a woman. We advise and request Deepika not to give provocative statements otherwise it will become a big law and order situation.”

“Hum to sirf nashiyat de rahe hain ki is tarah ke statements na dein ki kahin Lakshman aur Shurpanakha wala issue na ban jaye (We are only giving advise against making such statements or it could lead to a Lakshman and Shurpanaka situation),” Makrana said, in an obvious threat.

In Ramayana, Lakshman had chopped off the nose of Shurpanakha.

“We are requesting not to show anything which hurts our sentiments…But no one is listening, while on the other hand provocative statements are being issued,” he said, adding that the organisation now wants a complete ban on the film.

Meanwhile, Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha, an organisation of the Brahmin community, organised a blood signature campaign on Thursday and will send it to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requesting it to ban the film.

The Deewan of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz) Dargha, Deewan Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, has said that opposition to the film is right as it hurts religious sentiments. “The Muslims should support it,” he said and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban the film.

Activists of the Karni Sena had on Tuesday vandalised a theatre in Kota, Rajasthan, over reports that it was showing a trailer of “Padmavati”.

In January, activists of the Karni Sena had protested, manhandled and misbehaved with the crew of “Padmavati” in Jaipur, claiming that Bhansali was “distorting” historical facts in the movie.

They had also damaged some cameras and other equipment. Bhansali had to stop shooting.

“They are trying to defame queen Padmavati by distorting historical facts. It is not acceptable,” an activist of the Karni Sena said.

In March, some miscreants broke the mirrors at the Padmini Mahal in Chittorgarh Fort where Alauddin Khilji is alleged to have seen Rani Padmavati or Padmini. The Karni Sena claims the mirror story was invented years later.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rajasthan unit chief Ashok Parnami told the media that the Vasundhara Raje government will not tolerate any distortion of historical facts.

“Our history is glorious. We will not tolerate any distortion in historical facts,” he said.

Rajasthan State Commission for Women chief Suman Sharma, in a letter urged CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi to watch the movie and ensure there was no assault on the dignity of women through the film.

Sharma told reporters that she appealed to the board that women from the Rajput community too should be included in the pre-screening of the movie.

–IANS
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