96 Karni Sainiks protest outside CBFC office, held

Mumbai: More than 96 supporters of the Rajasthan-based Karni Sena were detained on Friday while they were on their way to protest outside the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) office against the clearance given to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavat, earlier titled Padmavati, scheduled to  release on January 25.

The Gamdevi police detained the protestors at the Cumballa Hill area in south Mumbai.

According to police officials, around 80 protestors belonging to the Karni Sena were stationed outside the CBFC office and 50 near Haji Ali for another protest.

The police have detained most of them to control the law and order situation.

"Over 96 supporters of the Karni Sena were detained from Cumballa Hill area in south Mumbai while protesting outside the CBFC office without police permission," said DCP Deepak Devraj. Additional security personnel were deployed outside the office after the organisation threatened to stage a protest.

When contacted by The Asian Age, Karni Sena's chief, Lokendra Kalvi said, "Even after some cuts in the movie and it's name change, the Karni Sena will ensure that the movie Padmavat will not have a smooth run." He added, "The Rajput Karni Sena has called for a janata curfew throughout the country to stop the screening of the movie whenever it hits the screens."

Opposing the CBFC's decision to release the movie, Mr Kalvi said, "Merely changing the name of the film isn't enough. Some states have already said that the movie will not get released there and we are requesting other states to do the same." He added, "We will not let the movie run in the cinema halls at any cost. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali will continue to make films on fake history unless and until he incurs a loss on all of his money invested in Padmavat," he said.