Mudda looks for a solution after fringe groups go on rampage in six states opposing Padmaavat release, decides that authorities are to blame as they have chosen to play silent witness

Protestors all over India went on a rampage following the release of the film, Padmaavat. Though the Supreme Court struck down the ban imposed by four states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana) on the film’s release, it was still not screened in any of the multiplexes there. Vandalism and violence were reported in Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Members of fringe groups also attacked a school bus in Gurugram on Wednesday.

Thursday’s edition of the Mudda, APN’s daily current affairs show discussed the issue. Moderated by Akshay Tripathi, the guests were Justice AN Mittal, former chief justice of Allahabad High Court, Supreme Court advocate JP Dhanda, CPI leader Ameer Haider Zaidi, BJP spokesperson Ashok Thakur, Congress spokesperson Onkar Nath Singh, film director Vandana Kohli, Kshatriya Mahasahba President Pradeep Singh Babboo, Karni Sena spokesperson Vijender Singh and consulting editor of APN Govind Pant Raju.

Vijender Singh said the video of the mobs attacking a school bus in Gurugram is a fake video. He said: “Media is circulating false news and tarnishing the image of the Karni Sena. Please verify the authenticity of the video. The Rajputs are not involved in this incident. They can never do such thing.”

Ameer Haider Zaidi alleged that the video of the school bus attack is a video from Afghanistan. He added: “Neither the state government or the Central government knows anything about the video. Secondly what actions can we take against the governments that are going against the Supreme Court’s order. States not being able to maintain law and order proves the failure of the state governments. I think some fringe groups who are related to terrorist groups are behind the violence. And, by going forward with the release of the film, Bhansali has given them a reason to do so.”

Ashok Thakur also blamed the media for circulating false news that is sullying the good image of the BJP. He said the BJP is with the SC.

Onkar Nath Singh asked why Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is silent on the whole issue. He said: “After a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court stating that the Rajputs werebeing misrepresented in the movie, it had asked film critics and journalists to see the movie and file a detailed report. Seeing the report, the apex court had told the director to continue shooting. There is some rule of law. I am a Rajput (Kshatriya) too and I am ashamed to be so. I condemn the attack on the school bus.”

Pradeep Singh Babboo however condemned the attack and said if any Rajput was involved in it, it is shameful for our community. But if they are protesting peacefully, the Supreme Court should not interfere in it, he added.

Justice AN Mittal said: “I think this protests are sponsored. They are taking the cover of the Karni Sena to achieve some ill. I want to ask these protestors why they have never protested when women, Brahmins or Vaishyas etc were shown in a degrading manner in films. There are reasonable restrictions too in a film director’s freedom but these protests are just baseless.”

Vandana Kohli said the people who are protesting have no idea what has been shown in the movie. She said: “After the screening everybody said there has been no misrepresentation of the Rajputs. The ‘aan, baan, shaan’ (pride) of the Rajputs have been aptly portrayed. I don’t understand why they are protesting. After the name was changed to Padmaavat, it has been made clear that the movie is based on an epic. As a law abiding citizen I think what is happening is wrong.”

JP Dhanda blamed the state governments for failing to maintain law and order. He said: “Every state government has the power and resources to stop such protests. They are choosing to be silent. The government should deal with it with a heavy hand and should not let it escalate. The story of queen Padmavati has been shown in good light. I request the Karni Sena to take the film in a happy spirit.”

Govind Pant Raju quoted reports that stated that no misrepresentation of the Rajputs have been done in the movie. He strongly criticised the BJP spokesperson for calling the public responsible for such vandalism.

-Compiled by Usha Rani Das