Jaipur: Ahead of the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmaavat', the iconic Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan has on Wednesday been closed for a day. This is the second time in the fort's history that it will be shut. The development comes after members of the Rajput Karni Sena tried to barge into the fort, protesting against the film.
In Rajasthan, the protests against the film have intensified, with Sri Rajput Karni Sena going all out against the film and asking theatre owners to not screen the movie till Supreme Court decides on the review petition filed by the state. Thousands of women brandishing swords on Sunday took out a 'Chetavani Rally' or a warning march in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh town to warn the authorities to stop the release of 'Padmaavat' movie or else be prepared for 'jauhar' by them.
Among the protesters were women, said to total 1,908, who have already registered for performing 'jauhar' (committing suicide by jumping into fire) in Chittorgarh.
The protesters began their march from the Chittorgarh Fort and ended it at the main market in the town where they submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to District Collector Indrajeet Singh.
Rajput Karni Sena has, meanwhile, said that the body will approach cinema hall owners across India in the next three days to request them not to screen the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie. Karni Sena spokesperson Vijendra Singh further said that cinema hall owners screening Padmaavat would face the consequences.
It's not just in Rajasthan that the protests have intensified. Violent protests also broke out in parts of Haryana, Gujarat, MP and Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had allowed a country-wide release of the controversial movie on January 25. Despite the apex court's decision, several organisations are protesting against the release and have warned exhibitors of "serious consequences" if they screen the film.
