Yogi government red-flags Padmavati in a letter to I&B Ministry

NEW DELHI: The Yogi Adityanath government has written to the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry that there is public anger in Uttar Pradesh over the Padmavati movie and the movie should not be released on December 1 as the same could lead to a law and order situation and widespread disturbance in the upcoming UP civic polls.

“The Home Department of UP has written a letter to the Union I&B Ministry informing it of the public anger and possible impact on law and order in wake of the anticipated release of the Padmavati movie and asked the Ministry to inform the Censor Board of the same so that Board members can consider the public sentiments before taking a decision on the movie,” the UP government has said in a statement on Wednesday.

The UP government has cited intelligence reports to say that since the release of the trailer of the movie on October 9, various social, cultural and other organisations have been making public their anger against the movie. “These organisations have been resorting to demonstrations, effigy-burning and protests and cinema halls are being appealed to by them to remove offensive scenes related to Rani Padmavati and not screen the movie at all. The organisations have also warned of damage to cinemas if the movie is released. Such protests are happening in UP and other states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi,” the UP Home Department has said in its letter.

The Yogi government has suggested to the I&B Ministry that these concerns should be raised before the Censor Board by the Ministry since the Supreme Court had observed on a petition against the movie that there are other available platforms to raise these concerns. UP government has also said that municipal polls are scheduled in the state on November 22, 26 and 29 and counting is due on December 1. A Muslim festival on December 2 has also been cited. “In this environment if the movie is released, it could lead to widespread violence and law and order disturbances in the state of UP. It would not be in the interest of law and order to release the movie on December 1,” UP has said.