Anti-‘PK’ protesters hit road, commuters fume

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 23

Traffic on the busy Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway came to a grinding halt after nearly 100 persons, owing allegiance to the Hindu Sanyukt Morcha, staged a protest at Aarti Chowk here today to press for a ban on the screening of director Rajkumar Hirani’s “PK”.

The three-hour protest led to a massive traffic jam at the chowk. Hundreds of commuters were inconvenienced. The protesters said the contents of the movie had hurt their religious sentiments.

There were reports that some of the protesters also kicked the scooter of a senior citizen when he requested them to let him go as his house was close to the chowk. Another commuter came to his rescue.

The commuters, who were stuck in the traffic jam, complained the police were watching the protest like mute spectators.

“These superstars think that they can mock at anyone’s religious beliefs. But they are mistaken. We will not tolerate such kind of nonsense. We want an immediate ban on the screening of this movie. The movie is setting a wrong precedent in society,” said Rajiv Tandon, president of morcha.

As the protest continued, the traffic police diverted the traffic from Bhai Wala Chowk towards Pakhowal Road. The commuters coming from the Jagraon side were asked to take Malhar Road.

“If the protesters have any problem with the movie, then they should stage a protest outside multiplexes and theatres where it is being screened. What is the point of blocking the road and harassing the commuters? Look, how many ambulances are stuck in the traffic jam. Imagine, if a patient requiring urgent treatment could not reach the hospital on time and dies on the way. Who would be responsible? Is the death of a patient is justified for staging a protest against the movie,” said the owner of a restaurant, who was also stuck in the traffic jam.

Another commuter said by staging a protest, these people were adding to the publicity of the movie.

Later in the afternoon, the protesters lifted the dharna after the police and administrative officials talked to them.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rajat Aggarwal, demanding an immediate ban on the screening of the movie. They would intensify their protest, if the screening of the movie was not stopped, they said. They have also demanded an FIR against the produce, director and actors of the movie.