Defying SC order, BJP's Suraj Pal Amu vows to 'tear country apart' if Padmaavat is released

In a move that defies the Supreme Court's order lifting the ban on the release of Padmaavat in four states, members of the Rajput Karni Sena and a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have vowed keep protesting. The SC gave a green signal for the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Reacting to the SC order, former Haryana BJP chief Suraj Pal Amu told news agency ANI, “Today, the Supreme Court has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus who used to respect it. Our struggle against the film will continue even if I am hanged. If this film releases, the country will be torn apart.”

Amu had previously offered a bounty of Rs10 crore to anyone who beheads the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actress Deepika Padukone. Criminal intimidation is punishable under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code and a commoner had filed an FIR against him. However, no action was taken against Amu.

The news agency also quoted a Karni Sena member from Chhattisgarh saying, “This is the last warning, else the consequences would be grave. Maharani Padmini is our pride and if the film releases in Chhattisgarh, the cinema halls would be in flames.” Yesterday (17 January), members of the Rajput Karni Sena had said that Rajput women would commit jauhar (self-immolation) if Padmaavat was allowed to be releaseed.

A number of other members of the group from different states have vowed to stop the release of the film while speaking to various news channels.

Meanwhile, governments of Rajasthan and Haryana have backed the SC court order and have ensured law and order will be maintained while the film is screened in theatres.