Will not allow 'Padmaavat' release, come what may: Karni Sena chief

Shri Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi on Wednesday said his organisation won't allow the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavaat" at any cost, even if he is arrested.

"January 25 (the film's release) may come and go but we won't let the film release, come what may," he said.

Kalvi also denied the role of Karni Sena in the violence which erupted in Ahmedabad, saying that there are many organisations protesting and creating panic in its name.

Claiming that he can be arrested at any point of time and this can be his last press conference before authorities pick him up, he called on all social organisations and public to come together to make his call for 'janta curfew' a success.

Asked who should be blamed for the entire crisis, he said there is no one else except Bhansali, adding that there are several cases registered against Bhansali in different districts of Gujarat for his film "Ramleela".

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi's favourite prayer song "Ishwar Allah Tero Naam, Sabko Sammati De Bhagwan", he said that they always wanted a peaceful protest but the situation has gone out of control courtesy Bhansali's "adamant attitude".

Kalvi alleged that the historians who have been called by the censor board had time and again said till their throats grew hoarse that "historical facts" have been ignored by Bhansali but to no avail.

If their opinion didn't matter, why were they invited, he asked.

Kalvi asserted that the film will not be released in six states - Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the protesters blocked the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Kalawad Road and also burned tyres on the Delhi-Ajmer road.

A bus was allegedly stoned in Sikar.

The Chittorgarh fort has been closed on Wednesday in view of deteriorating law and order with a heavy police contingent deployed at the fort as some women protesters had vowed to perform 'jauhar' (ritual self-immolation) on Wednesday.

These women were attempting to go ahead towards the fort when they were stopped by police, and later the fort was closed.

Speaking to IANS, a Karni Sena member said that they will go for a "janata curfew" and try that their 'Bharat bandh' remains successful on Thursday. "We will stage dharna at cinema halls now," he added.

--IANS

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