Padmaavat effect Prasoon to skip Jaipur Lit Fest

Jaipur: Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi has pulled out of the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) in the wake of the Padmaavat controversy, saying he wished to avoid any discomfort to the organisers and fellow writers due to the row. The 46-year-old poet-lyricist's statement came following threats from the Rajput group Karni Sena which had attacked Joshi for clearing Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film 'Padmaavat' and had protested the JLF's invitation to him.

Joshi said he does not want the "dignity" of the prestigious event to be compromised by the Padmaavat controversy. The Central Board of Film Certification chairman was scheduled to be in conversation with writer and filmmaker Anu Singh Choudhury on Sunday in a session.

"I will not be attending JLF this year and must say will miss sharing great moments with literature and poetry lovers," Joshi said. "I am doing this so that the dignity of the event does not get compromised or discomfort caused either to the organisers, fellow writers or attendees."