Gujarat joins UP, MP, Rajasthan in banning ‘Padmavati’ screening

Gandhinagr, Nov 24: In view of the ensuing elections in the state and maintaining law and order situation, the Gujarat government has decided against allowing screening of controversial film Padmavati.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that his government will not allow the release of ‘Padmavati’ in the state as it injured the sentiments of the Rajput community.

Rupani said that there are some controversial issues with the film and those protesting against him have valid reasons to do so. We sympathise with them and that is the reason we will not allow the film to be released in the state until those issues were resolved, he explained.

The decision to not screen the movie has been taken keeping in mind the law and order situation in the poll-bound state, he said.

‘Padmavati’ a film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the life of legendary Rajput Queen Padmavati and Muslim invader Allauddin Khilji has been facing opposition over allegations that it twisted the historical facts.

“The Government of Gujarat will not allow Bollywood movie ‘Padmavati’ to be released in the state as it is hurting sentiments of the Rajputs,” Rupani said.

We can’t allow our history to be distorted, he said.

“We believe in freedom of speech and expression but any foul play with our great culture will not be tolerated,” Rupani added.

The BJP-ruled states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have already expressed reservations about the film and decided not to allow its screening in their respective states.

Gujarat will be going to polls to elect new assembly on Dec 9 and 14. In view of the ensuing elections we do not want any disturbance in the state, Rupani said.

“Election is also approaching and we do not want any row here. The matter comes under law and order situation and that is the reason we have taken this decision,” he said.

Asked if he had seen the film, Rupani said, “The makers of the film should screen it for those who are protesting against it and resolve the issue. Our concern is protests and law and order situation at the time of elections. Till this issue is resolved we will not allow screening of the film here,” he added.

On November 20, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said “Padmavati” will not be allowed to be screened in his state if historical facts are “distorted” in the film.

Amid rumours of a romantic dream sequence between the legendary Rajput queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji’s characters in the film, many Rajput groups have been up in arms against the movie, alleging that it distorts history.