Women Carry Swords, March Against ‘Padmaavat’ Release in Chittor

If the film is released, women of Kshatriya Samaj will perform jauhar on 24 January, said Karni Sena spokesperson.

Deepika Padukone in a still from Padmaavat.

(Photo Courtesy: Viacom)

Thousands of women carrying swords went on a 'Chetavani Rally', in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh on Sunday, 21 January, “warning” the authorities to stop the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Padmaavat’ movie or be “prepared” for 'Jauhar' by them.

According to Times of India, protesting women said that a total 1,908 have already registered for performing 'Jauhar' (committing suicide by jumping into fire) in Chittorgarh. The march reportedly started from the fort, and ended in a market place, where a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was read out.

Female members of the Kshatriya community in Chittorgarh had earlier in the week 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 the film. The meeting was attended by around 500 people, out of which 100 women belonged to high-profile families of the city.

Speaking to IANS, spokesperson of Rajput Karni Sena Virendra Singh said on January 17, 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 Padmaavat, is scheduled to release 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, 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 <i>jauhar </i>on 24 January – the day when the queen performed<i> jauhar</i>&nbsp; – and at the same site.

Virendra Singh, Spokesperson of Rajput Karni Sena

Chhittorgarh 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.

(With inputs from Times of India)

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