JOIN USJoining the growing chorus of dissent against the release of upcoming movie Padmavati, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday said that filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has not only dented the image and honour of Rani Padmavati, but also violated Indian law against Sati Pratha.
Vij said although the film censor board, an independent agency, could form its opinion on the issue, it should stall the release of the movie, keeping in view the sentiments of people. Haryana, the minister said, has already apprised the Union information and broadcasting minister of people's sentiments in this regard.
Protesting the release of the movie, he said Rani Padmavati was the pride of the country. "She, along with 16,000 women, had committed self-immolation (jauhar) after Raja Rana Rattan Singh fell in the war," he said. "It is an insult to show the princess of such high character dancing in public. It is highly objectionable as it tampers with history," he said.
Vij also said that the practice of Sati had been completely banned in India and nobody could be allowed to make and release a movie "promoting Sati Pratha". It is a clear violation of the Indian Act, he said.
"Why do people like Bhansali get stories of the likes of Alauddin Khilji who hurt Indian masses? There are a lot of other heroes in our culture whose sagas could be showcased. But Bhansali would not do this, as he wants to work towards promoting a single ideology," he said.