MP govt bans Padmaavat songs, ignores action against Karni Sena for vandalism

A student was injured on Tuesday, 16 January, after members of the Rajput Karni Sena vandalized St Paul’s Convent School in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district for playing the ‘Ghoomar’ song from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat during their annual day function. 

But instead of arresting the attackers, the Madhya Pradesh government has passed an order banning Padmaavat songs from being played anywhere in the state. The state's home minister Bhoopendra Singh posted a tweet declaring the ban.

It read, “MP govt banned #Padmaavat, people shouldn't even play songs of it. If someone plays a banned song, it must be reported to police & not take matter in your own hands. Action to be taken against culprits.” 

The government of Madhya Pradesh had declared it will not released Padmaavat in the state even after the film was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification. Three other states — Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana — followed suit and banned the film. 

The producers of Padmaavat, Bhansali Productions and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, challenged the ban in Supreme Court, yesterday, 17 January. Today, the apex court stayed the ban and asked the state governments to maintain law and order while the film is released in theatres.