<p class="title">Amid the Padmavati row, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said today that giving violent threats and announcing rewards for physical harm was not acceptable in a democracy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Not directly referring to the controversy, but films and art in general, he warned against undermining the rule of law in the country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Naidu, at a literary festival here, said there is now a new problem over some films where people feel that they have hurt the sentiments of some religions or communities and that has led to protests.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said while protesting, some people go overboard and announce rewards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Whether these fellows have that much money or not, I doubt. Everyone is announcing Rs one crore reward. Is it so easy to have Rs one crore?</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is not acceptable in a democracy. You have the right to protest in a democratic manner, go to the appropriate authorities...you cannot physically obstruct and can't give violent threats. Let us not undermine the rule of law," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stressing that he was not talking about a particular film but in general, Naidu read out names of previously banned films like Haram Hawa, Kissa Kursi Ka and Aandhi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His remarks, however, assume significance as they come amid protests by many groups against Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Padmavati, alleging that the movie distorts history.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Historians are divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some leaders and groups have also reportedly announced a bounty for beheading Bhansali and the female lead Deepika Padukone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"You have no right to take laws into your own hands. At the same time, you don't have the right to hurt the sentiments of others", Naidu said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The vice president also warned against selective condemnation and said it was wrong to link it to religion.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said there was a difference between religion and culture. While religion was a way of worship, culture was a way of life, he said. </p>
<p class="title">Amid the Padmavati row, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said today that giving violent threats and announcing rewards for physical harm was not acceptable in a democracy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Not directly referring to the controversy, but films and art in general, he warned against undermining the rule of law in the country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Naidu, at a literary festival here, said there is now a new problem over some films where people feel that they have hurt the sentiments of some religions or communities and that has led to protests.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said while protesting, some people go overboard and announce rewards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Whether these fellows have that much money or not, I doubt. Everyone is announcing Rs one crore reward. Is it so easy to have Rs one crore?</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is not acceptable in a democracy. You have the right to protest in a democratic manner, go to the appropriate authorities...you cannot physically obstruct and can't give violent threats. Let us not undermine the rule of law," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stressing that he was not talking about a particular film but in general, Naidu read out names of previously banned films like Haram Hawa, Kissa Kursi Ka and Aandhi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His remarks, however, assume significance as they come amid protests by many groups against Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Padmavati, alleging that the movie distorts history.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Historians are divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some leaders and groups have also reportedly announced a bounty for beheading Bhansali and the female lead Deepika Padukone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"You have no right to take laws into your own hands. At the same time, you don't have the right to hurt the sentiments of others", Naidu said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The vice president also warned against selective condemnation and said it was wrong to link it to religion.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said there was a difference between religion and culture. While religion was a way of worship, culture was a way of life, he said. </p>