English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Padmaavat: Rajput Groups Continue To Deny Facts, Defy Country And Constitutional Institutions

Published

on

An Ahmedabad shopping mall vandalised by "Padmaavat" protesters on Jan 23, 2018.

Above: An Ahmedabad shopping mall vandalised by “Padmaavat” protesters on Jan 23, 2018.

By Rajesh Sinha

Mobs defied the nation’s Constitutionally established institutions and law to perpetrate violence over an imagined sense of hurt pride due to a wrongly assumed derogatory portrayal of the fictional character of Rani Padmini, claiming it amounts to ‘distortion of history’.

The film Padmaavat, based on a story by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, is in the eye of a storm with Rajput groups who persist in issuing threats and carrying them out in different parts of the country.

Strangely, none of the TV news channels, whose influence on moulding opinion is hugely disproportionate to the facts and reason they air, questioned this claim of Rajput leaders about alleged distortion of history. They did, however, ask these ‘custodians’ of their clan’s pride, if they had seen the film and knew what it shows. None had, so far. Others – journalists – who saw it on Tuesday said the film was all about Rajput valour and pride and villainy of Alauddin Khilji, both features in accordance with what Rajput groups claim to be facts: The review of the movie in The Indian Express says explicitly that the “entire film is a relentlessly opulent, magnificently-mounted paean to Rajput ‘aan baan shaan’.”

The Rajput character of valour and fairness portrayed in the film seemed to have evaporated as, refusing to relent, Rajput groups continued to issue threats and resort to violence over the release of ‘Padmaavat’ even after the Supreme Court rejected all appeals to prevent the film from being screened and ordering the state governments to ensure peace and order.

Padmaavat is scheduled to be released on Thursday, 25 January.

On Wednesay, January 24, a threat by a group of Rajasthani women to commit jauhar in Chittorgarh fizzled out with Rajasthan Police foiling their plans.

Groups of Rajput men and women that marched to the Chittorgarh Fort were stopped by Rajasthan Police, who had thrown a barricade around Chittorgarh Fort to stop the protesters from entering the fort premises. The women who managed to sneak in were escorted out by the police, said media reports.

In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, a protest against release of Padmaavat turned violent on Tuesday as a group went on the rampage vandalising theatres and multiplexes and shops and set more than three dozen vehicles ablaze in Ahmedabad.

The reason for their ire and the violence had no basis: the cinema halls association has decided to not to release movie in cinema halls.

A 2000 strong mob reportedly went on rampage, targeting three city malls with multiplexes and a cinema hall, and damaging more than 150 four-wheelers and two-wheelers.

Padmaavat: Rajput Groups Continue To Deny Facts, Defy Country And Constitutional InstitutionsMedia reports said two Rajput groups in Gujarat – Karni Sena and Mahakaal Sena – have been at the forefront of protests in the state which has also seen service on more than a 100 bus routes suspended.

The Shri Rajput Karni Sena, which has been at the forefront of protests against the film, was quick to deny involvement in the violent protests.

In Ujjain, Police had to fire in the air to disperse the mob and use force in some places in Ujjain where the protesters turned violent.

In Gurgaon, prohibitory orders have been imposed till Sunday to maintain law and order situation, in view of Shree Rajput Karni Sena threatening to target theatres screening the film. There are over 40 multiplexes and cinema halls in Gurgaon.

The Haryana government has said that it would implement the Supreme Court order that allows the screening of the movie. According to media reports, Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said, “Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in view of release of the ‘Padmaavat’ in various cinema halls and multiplexes on January 25 as there is likelihood of law and order disturbance.”

“Following imposition of Section 144, there is prohibition on presence of people carrying firearms and other articles capable of causing injury, raising slogans and exhibiting placards within 200 meters radius of the cinema halls and multiplexes from January 23 to January 28,” Singh said, according to reports.

In Bihar, several cinema halls cancelled ticket bookings for Hindi film ‘Padmavat’ to be released across the country from January 25, following protests from activists of Karni Sena, reported news agencies. A large number of activists of Karni Sena staged protest and forced PNA mall in Patna to stop the booking of tickets for Hindi film ‘Padmavat’, reported news agencies.

According to reports from several districts of Bihar including Gaya and Bhagalpur, ticket bookings have been cancelled for screening of the film in cinema halls there.

Karni Sena has been the most vociferous of the fringe groups opposing the period drama, alleging that historical facts were distorted in the movie.

The Supreme Court had earlier paved the way for the all- India release of “Padmaavat” on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat — all ruled by the BJP — prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com