Nearly 2,000 women in Rajasthan have registered themselves to perform the act of jauhar- committing suicide by jumping into fire- to protest the release of Padmaavat in the state.
On Sunday, thousands of women brandishing swords took out what they said was a ‘Chetavani Rally’ or a warning march in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh town to warn the authorities to stop the release of ‘Padmaavat’ or else be prepared for ‘jauhar’ by them reported news agency IANS.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor is scheduled to hit cinemas on 25 January. The film was originally set to be release on 1 December last year, but the violent protests by militant Hindutva outfit Karni Sena and death threats issued by BJP leaders forced the makers of the film to postpone its release.
The protesters on Sunday began their march from the Chittorgarh Fort and ended it at the main market in the town where they submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to District Collector Indrajeet Singh, the IANS report added.
Four BJP-ruled states had banned its release despite Padmaavat being approved by the Indian censor board after some modifications and change in the name of the film.
Rajput Karni Sena Spokesperson Vijendra Singh said that the body will approach cinema hall owners across India in the next three days to request them not to screen the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie.