Kshatriya women threaten 'jauhar' if Padmaavat release not stopped

In a new twist to the ongoing controversy over release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie Padmaavat (2018), female members of Kshatriya community in Chittorgarh on Saturday threatened to perform "jauhar" (self-immolation) if the screening of the film is not stopped by the government.

In a Sarvasamaj meeting held in Chittorgarh, the members decided to stage a phase-wise protest against the proposed release of film. The meeting was attended by around 500 people, out of which 100 females belonged to high-profile families of the city.

Speaking to IANS, spokesperson of Rajput Karni Sena Virendra Singh said on 17 January, national highways and railway tracks across Chittorgarh would be blocked.

The film, already cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after five modifications and renamed from Padmavati to Padmavat and now titled Padmaavat, is scheduled to be released on 25 January across India. The Rajasthan government has, however, decided against releasing it in the state.

On Sunday, a delegation of the Sena will meet Rajnath Singh, who is scheduled to visit Udaipur, requesting him to stop the screening of the movie across India.

According to Virendra Singh, a representative board will also meet prime minister Narendra Modi on 16 January, who is scheduled to visit Pachpadra village in Barmer district for laying the foundation stone for a refinery project.

"A request will be made to him as well to stop the screening of the film," he said.

"But, if despite all these measures the film is released, the women of Kshatriya Samaj will perform jauhar on 24 January 24 — the day when the queen performed jauhar — and at the same site," said Virendra Singh.

Chhittaurgarh Jauhar Smriti Sansthan general secretary Bhanwar Singh said that preparations were also being made to close the gates of the historical Chittorgarh fort once again.

Earlier, the Sena had planned a protest on 25 and 26 January, but in the wake of Republic Day celebrations, the protest was rescheduled to 17 January, Virendra Singh added.