Haryana minister wants 'Padmavati' release stalled

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday joined the anti-"Padmavati" bandwagon and asked the censor board to stall its release.

In a statement here, Vij said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should withhold the release of film "Padmavati" "keeping in view the people's sentiments".

"The Information and Broadcasting Minister has already been apprised about people's sentiments in this regard," Vij said.

Opposing the release of the movie, the minister said Rani Padmavati was the pride of the country.

"She, along with 16,000 women, had committed self-immolation (jauhar) after Raja Rana Ratan Singh fell in the war. It is an insult to show a princess of such high character dancing in public. It is highly objectionable as it tampers with history.

"Why don't people like Bhansali get the story of the likes of Alauddin Khilji, who hurt the Indian masses, for their films? There are a lot of sagas of heroes in Indian culture which could be showcased to the society. But Bhansali would not do this as he wants to work for promoting a single ideology," added Vij, who is known for being outspoken.

The film is slated to release on December 1.

--IANS

js/rb/mr