Rajasthan witnesses series of protests on first day of release of Padmaavat

A series of violent protests broke out in Rajasthan on Thursday over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Controversial film Padmaavat.

In Udaipur police lathicharged the mob  protesting outside the cinema hall in the old city. Protesters vandalised shops along the Chittorgarh - Udaipur highway. However in Chittorgarh, the historic fort again witnessed a thick security cover by the police, owing to the protest threats given by the protesters. Moreover entry to the fort was restricted for local tourists vehicles whereas foreign tourists were allowed to take vehicles inside the fort. "We were not allowed to take our car inside, due to which we had to walk around the fort which is about 5 kms. Due to the restrictions we couldn't explore the fort properly", Jyoti Sharma, a local tourist   told DH.

In Jaipur also members of Shree Karni Sena took out a protest from Rajput Sabha to Chamber Bhawan. The protesters also raised abusive slogans against the cast of the film Padmaavat. However film distributors and multiplexes in Rajasthan have not released the film.

The Rajasthan unit of the RSS has also urged people and cinema owners to refrain from watching and screening 'Padmaavat', describing the controversial film as an attempt to hurt public sentiments and disturb social harmony.

RSS's northwest regional 'sanghchalak' Bhagwati Prakash said that "'Padmaavat' was "based on unconfirmed, controversial and imaginary information".

The film, which released nationwide on Thursday, is based on the saga of the historic 13th century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. The film has faced opposition from fringe Rajput groups, who allege that the film distorts history and shows Queen Padmavati in "poor light".