Won't let 'Padmaavat' release, come what may: Karni Sena

Jaipur: The Supreme Court's green signal for all-India screening of "Padmaavat" notwithstanding, Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi on Wednesday said the Rajput organisation won't allow the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial to be released as it shows the Rajput queen in less than honourable light.

"We are adamant on our stand that this film should be banned. January 25 may come and go but we won't let the film release, come what may," Kalvi said.

He asked people for a self-imposed curfew to boycott the movie that "insults the mother, Rani Padmavati".

Asked about the violence being perpetrated in the name of banning the movie, Kalvi said it was "sad", but held Bhansali responsible for it.

Police had earlier arrested the Chittorgarh unit chief of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, after its spokesperson declared that over 1,900 women of the community are "ready" to commit "jauhar" or mass immolation as part of protests over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat".

More than 150 four-wheelers and two-wheelers were damaged as mobs created a ruckus in malls with multiplexes and standalone theatre complex in the western city.

Rajpratap Singh, state media in charge Karni Sena, said that "Police are trying their best to curb our protest".

Also, security tightened in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh ahead of release of the film: ANI.

The Karni Sena and other fringe groups claim Bhansali's period drama "Padmaavat" distorts history.