Protests Force government assurance that Censor Board will weigh in Public Sentiment

NEW DELHI (TIP): The controversy over Bollywood film “Padmavati” has set India on fire. The situation took an ugly turn on November 16 when a leader of the Rajput Karni Sena cited Ramayana’s Surpanakha nose-chopping incident and warned Deepika Padukone against “inciting” sentiments.

Reacting to the development, the Mumbai police have stepped up the actor’s security.

Meanwhile, protests were held in several parts of the country, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, against the movie, which is slated to be released on December 1.

Amid raging row over Bollywood movie ‘Padmavati’ and Rajput Karni Sena’s open threat to actress Deepika Padukone, Union minister Uma Bharti said, November 16 she had been assured that the Censor Board would take care of the issues being raised by the Rajput community.

Her Cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari also reacted on the issue. “Filmmakers must also keep cultural sensitivities in mind,” he said.

“I have been assured that the Censor Board will take care of all issues. I am confident that they are already informed about the concerns being raised by the people… The director and his associate are responsible for the film story. They should have taken care of the sentiments and historical facts,” she added

Just like disrespect to Padmavati was “immoral”, so was that to the film’s artistes (read Padukone), she said. “If we are talking about respect of Padmavati, it is our moral obligation that we respect every woman… Disrespect of any actress or actor of ‘Padmavati’ is uncalled for and immoral,” Bharti said, an obvious reference to the threat of physical harm to Deepika.

President of the Rajasthan unit of Karni Sena Mahipal Singh Makrana has been quoted as saying that they would not hesitate to chop off Deepika’s nose like Shurpanakha. “Rajputs never raise hand on women, but if the need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha,” he said. Padukone had recently termed as “appalling” the violent protests over the film.

Meanwhile, Ajmer dargah deewan Sayed Zainul on Thursday, November 16, compared filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Salman Rushdie, Tasleema Nasreen and Tareq Fateh

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban the movie that hurt “religious sentiments” of every citizen, including Rajput community at large

 “Bhansali’s character is like that of Rushdie, Tasleema and Tareq who always twists or distorts historical facts and hurts religious feelings of people, hence every Muslim should support the cause of Rajput community,” Deewan said in a statement in Jaipur.

‘Defending the film maker and the film artist Padukone, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took a dig at those criticizing Padukone by questioning their silence during British era’.

“Every single one of these so-called valorous maharajas, who today are after a Mumbai filmmaker, were less concerned about their honor when the British were trampling all over it. They scurried to accommodate themselves. So, let’s face it, there is no question, that we were complicit”, said Shashi Tharoor.

The uproar against Padmavati has once again revived the question of freedom of expression. We may see the debate getting louder over the next few days.