Protests in UP over 'Padmaavat' release

Protests were held in several towns and cities of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday ahead of the January 25 release of the movie 'Padmaavat'.

In Barabanki town, Muslims protested against the movie's release and burnt an effigy of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and its posters.

The protesters warned that they will not allow the movie's release in the district. "We will not allow the film to distort history, even if it is about a Hindu queen," a protestor told the media.

Supporters of Shri Rajput Karni Sena, a community organisation bitterly opposed to the movie, protested in Allahabad and tried to set on fire a city bus near the Mayo Hall. They vandalised public property before police chased them away.

Protests were also held in Agra, Hathras and some parts of western Uttar Pradesh.

Police said that the film would be allowed to be screened at theatres in view of the Supreme Court orders on the issue. Home Department officials could not be contacted for comments despite efforts.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a state government official told IANS that so far there was no clear line given by the Yogi Adityanath government on the screening of the movie but they will respect the apex court directives and provide security to theatres where 'Padmaavat' is slated for screening.

Cinema owners in the state capital have sought police security to ensure peaceful screening of the movie though they refused to come on record, saying they did not want more trouble than is already brewing.

--IANS

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