House panel seeks report on ‘Padmavati’

New Delhi, November 22

The controversy over period drama “Padmavati” today reached the portals of Parliament as a House panel sought a report on the film from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Censor Board.

After a plea by BJP MPs CP Joshi and Om Birla from Rajasthan referring to objectionable content in the movie, the matter was taken up for consideration by the Lok Sabha’s Committee on Petitions. 

Joshi, who is also a member of the panel, said the movie should be first shown to historians and the descendants of the erstwhile royal families who trace their lineage to Padmavati, before its release.

“The panel has referred the matter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Censor Board. It has also asked them to submit a report before November 30,” said senior BJP leader Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who heads the panel.

Amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji’s characters, various Rajput groups have been protesting against the film, alleging it “distorts” history and hurts the sentiments of the people.

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and UP Chief Ministers have already opposed the release of the movie. — PTI

Gujarat bans release 

Ahmedabad: Even though the producer of the film has indefinitely put off the release of the film, the Gujarat Government on Wednesday banned the release of “Padmavati” in the state “till the controversy surrounding the film subsided.” Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the government would not allow the film release in the state as it had caused a ‘lot of heart-burning’ among communities