India burns over a movie, a day before Padmaavat's release
A day ahead of the release of Padmaavat, protests, violence and arson were reported from different places including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and Gujarat, states that had banned the movie. Security has been beefed up in many places. Clubs and bars in Gurugram have been ordered shut from 7pm today. Ironically, reviews have confirmed the movie shows Rajputs only in glorious light.
Protesters torched buses and pelted stones at Gurugram's Sohna Road
Buses damaged, property set ablaze, malls attacked
Protesters damaged vehicles and set them on fire in Delhi, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, Etawah (UP), Bhopal, Sikar (Rajasthan) and elsewhere. The Delhi-Jaipur highway, Delhi-Ajmer highway and the Gurgaon Wazirpur-Pataudi road were blocked. In Lucknow, protesters said they would do "anything that is required" if theaters don't abide by their "request." In Mumbai, police arrested 30 Karni Sena members, and 44 in Ahmedabad.
Chittor Fort shut for the second time amid jauhar threats
Meanwhile, the Chittor Fort was shut for the second time in its centuries-old history as Karni Sena members tried to break in. Protesters had threatened 1,900 women would commit 'jauhar' there if Padmaavat is released, like Rani Padmini had supposedly done. Several members of the group including its chief were arrested last night over the jauhar threats.
Rajasthan Home Minister urges peaceful protests
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said, "We've appealed protesters that if they want to protest while being within framework of law and order, they can go ahead with it. There aren't many cinema halls in Rajasthan (anyway) who are willing to screen the film."
Police offers security to malls, movie halls, but violence continues
Police have assured security to malls, but attacks have been continuing. In Delhi, they have asked vendors in and around malls to help maintain peace. After stones were pelted at Meerut's PVS Mall, cops were deployed. There will be complete security cover during screenings, an official said. In Maharashtra, Aurangabad, Nashik, Kolhapur and others have been marked as "sensitive pockets."
