India News

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

Published

9 years ago

January 24, 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.

Media 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.

Related Topics:Karni Sena Padmaavat Supreme Court

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

6 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

11 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

16 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.