Won''t let ''Padmaavat'' release, come what may: Karni Sena

Jaipur, January 24

The Supreme Court's green signal for all-India screening of "Padmaavat" notwithstanding, Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi on Wednesday said the Rajput organisation won't allow the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial to be released as it shows the Rajput queen in less than honourable light.

"We are adamant on our stand that this film should be banned. January 25 may come and go but we won't let the film release, come what may," Kalvi said.

He asked people for a self-imposed curfew to boycott the movie that "insults the mother, Rani Padmavati".

Asked about the violence being perpetrated in the name of banning the movie, Kalvi said it was "sad", but held Bhansali responsible for it.

Police have arrested the Chittorgarh unit chief of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, after its spokesperson declared that over 1,900 women of the community are "ready" to commit "jauhar" or mass immolation as part of protests over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat".

Police swooped down on the residences of Karni Sena Chittorgarh unit president, Govind Singh Khangarot, and vice-president Kamlendu Singh Solanki at 11 pm on Tuesday and arrested them.

Police also arrested Devendra Singh, one of the main members of the organisation.

Rajpratap Singh, state media in-charge Karni Sena, said, “Police are trying their best to curb our protest.”

“We are not being allowed to take out a rally or stage protest. There is 'nakabandi' all around and strict police arrangements have been made in this town," he said.

“We have called a meeting and will unveil our next phase of action by evening after a call taken by our chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi,” he added. 

On Tuesday, a senior spokesperson of the Karni Sena from Chittorgarh had said, “People from the city of Queen Padmavat are disheartened with the verdict of the Supreme Court.”

“If we want, we can choose violent ways and disturb people and tourists. However, on the contrary, our women have decided to opt for jauhar (mass immolation) without disturbing anyone,” he said.

He claimed that "wood has been collected at the jauhar location and 1,908 women have registered for jauhar. If the administration allows us to climb on top of the fort, we will do so." The film releases on Thursday. The Karni Sena and other fringe groups claim Bhansali's period drama distorts history.

In Mumbai, 35 supporters of Karni Sena, protesting against 'Padmaavat' were detained in Mumbai. 

Security has been tightened outside Wave cinemas in the wake of protests against the movie in Lucknow. Protesters have have blocked Delhi-Jaipur highway against 'Padmaavat'.  Agencies 

#LatestVisuals from outside Ahmedabad's Himalaya Mall where shops were vandalised and vehicles parked outside were torched in protest against #Padmaavat yesterday pic.twitter.com/le6cs0hTzU

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018

Protesters block Gurgaon's Wazirpur-Pataudi road agitating against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/CpzSJ7SEj5

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018

Lucknow: Security tightened outside Wave cinemas in the wake of protests against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/N7jB5g7Gwk

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018

Protest against #Padmavaat in Mathura, protesters stop train at Bhuteshwar railway station pic.twitter.com/UlEPjUZ4yz

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018