Bhopal: Protest against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial film Padmaavat has been growing in Madhya Pradesh, leading to several cases of vandalism.
Protests and acts of vandalism have been reported from various parts of the state.
The period drama is scheduled to release on January 25.
Karni Sena held a protest in Ujjain to demand state-wide ban Padmaavat. The Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, staged blockades by burning tyres on roads connecting Ujjain to Nagda, Dewas to Maksi and Agar to Kota.
Ujjain faced a highway jam due to the aggressive burning of tyres. Some activists of the organisation also hijacked a truck and tried setting it on fire in Indore.
Workers of Karni Sena sat on a dharna on roads linking Mhow to Neemuch in order to raise ban on the movie, causing a traffic jam. Traffic was also affected in Neemuch, Dewas, Dhar, Shajapur and Mandsaur due to the activities by workers of the Karni Sena.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Atulkar told PTI that the administration has urged the protesters not to take the law into their hands. "We have cleared the road after receiving a memorandum from the protesters," he said.
There were also reports that protesters had pelted vehicles with stones on the Agar-Kota road. The SP, however, denied any incidents of violence.
"There were small road blockades. We will take stern legal action if protesters disrupt law and order," he said.
The Supreme Court last week paved the way for the nationwide release of "Padmaavat", by staying the ban on its screening in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
However, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on Monday moved the apex court seeking recall of its January 18 order by which the controversial film was allowed to be released in theatres across India.
The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on the saga of the 13th Century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.
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