Members of 36 Rajputana community-led religious and social organisations from across the country gathered at Azad Maidan on Monday to protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s yet-to-be-released movie Padmavati.
More than 500 people had gathered for the rally organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Sangh and the Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
Raj K. Purohit, BJP MLA from Colaba, addressed the gathering, cautioning protesters. “Anybody who issues open threats of beheading or any other violent activity shall be disowned; nobody but that person will be held responsible,” he said.
Dig at Tharoor
Mr. Purohit said Rajputs have fought more than anybody for the country. Calling Congress leader Shashi Tharoor “a murderer”, Mr. Purohit said, “By defaming us on Twitter, he is a fool who is questioning the sacrifice of Rajputs. We sacrificed everything for the country. I am sure he will scream at a cigarette burn; such a man would never understand ‘Johar’ (self-immolation).”
The rally was later addressed by Lokendra Singh Kalvi, president of the Karni Sena, who is said to be a 37th generation descendent of Padmavati. “After waiting for four hours for Mr. Bhansali on November 12, 2016, we requested him not to make this movie and told him not to pollute our holy land of Jaisalmer. But he had the audacity to come there and finish this film. He has thrown an open challenge to us, which shall not be tolerated,” he said.
‘Unworthy daughter’
Citing his friendship with badminton player Prakash Padukone, actor Deepika Padukone’s father, Mr. Kalvi said, “She is like a daughter to me. But unfortunately, she has turned to be an unworthy daughter.”
Women and children also actively participated and shouted slogans against the movie and its creators.
Sandhya Rajput, women’s youth president of Karni Sena, said, “This is just karma for Mr. Bhansali. He was warned, but did what he wanted to. This gives us the liberty to do whatever we want. The idea of insulting something so pure as ‘Johar’ makes us sick. The threats issued are correct and should not be retracted. He should have thought before walking over our religious sentiments.”
Sumitra Suman Singh, president of the Akhand Rajputana Mahila Aandolan, said the community had initially requested that the film be screened for them, but the creators did not pay heed to their repeated requests. “Now, we don’t want to see the movie; we just want it banned. Irrespective of what’s in it, after seeing the songs and trailer, we surely want it banned.”
Inappropriate clothing
Ms. Singh criticised Ms. Padukone for demeaning Rani Padmavati by playing the character in inappropriate clothes. “History has witnessed that Rajput women never even showed their faces. She deserves to have her nose cut. In Ramayana too, Laxman had to chop Surpankha’s nose after she crossed all levels of vulgarity. Rani Padmini is our pride, and anybody disrespecting that shall have to face the consequences.”
Thirteen-year-old Ruchita-ba Chauhan and her nine-year old sister from Sion were also a part of the protests. “I am a Kutchi Rajput, and I strongly condemn Mr. Bhansali for manipulating our rich history in such a manner,” the 13-year-old said.
