Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has joined the ban ‘Padmavati’ chorus.
Troubles for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious project ‘Padmavati’ just do not seem to be ending. Now, it looks like Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar too has joined the ranks of those who want to ban the movie.
Kumar said that ‘Padmavati’ will not be released in Bihar till the producers and director of the film give adequate clarification on it.
Nitish Kumar’s statement comes after Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan have announced a ban on the film.
Gujarat government states that they will not let the movie be screened until the Assembly elections. The elections are to be held on December 9 and 14, and the counting will take place December 18.
In the press conference, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that many communities have expressed their apprehension about the release of the film. Keeping the threat of violence during the elections in mind, Rupani said that till the issue is resolved ‘Padmavati’ will not be screened in Gujarat.
He even reinforced in a tweet, “The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati – a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs – to get released in the State. We can’t allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated. (sic)”
The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati – a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs – to get released in the State. We can’t allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated.
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) November 22, 2017
Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed his support for the protesters. He has further stated that ‘Padmavati’ will not be released in MP despite the green light from CBFC.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath appears pro-protest. He believes that action should be taken against Sanjay Leela Bhansali for hurting Rajput sentiments.
Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has maintained a neutral stand. While he is strictly against violence, he also maintains that anyone who has had their sentiments hurt has the right to protest. Although he has also emphasized that protests and threats are not the same things.
Whereas, Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated that he would take the final decision after the film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
“We will not allow anyone’s sentiments to be hurt. We don’t think it is right to ban (a film) before censor board’s decision,” he told in an interview to ANI.
However, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken the opposite route. She went on to implore the film industry to come together and protest in one voice.
Now only time will tell if ‘Padmavati’ will release in these states post the changes (if any) made by the CBFC.
