Public sentiment and freedom of expression must be protected

Both the public sentiment and freedom of expression must be respected by artists, writers, directors, filmmakers, painters, singer etc. Rajput community is fiercely opposed to the screening of the film Padmavati directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Deepika Padukone has played the main role of Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. This is the cinematic presentation and this may be based on the figment of the imagination. So, it must not be taken seriously or be made an issue of prestige. Rani Padmavati was the wife of Raja Ratan Singh of Chittorgarh in Rajathan. Aladdin Khilji of Khilji dynasty was the emperor of Delhi. Rani Padmavati was strikingly beautiful and one of the courtiers of Aladdin Khilji had described her beauty to him. Upon hearing about her beauty, it is said that he moved to Chittorgarh with his battalion of soldiers for the war against Raja Ratan Singh. He could not defeat Rajput king but through deceitful means, he arrested and brought him to Delhi. A war again broke out between the commanders of Raja Ratan Singh on the order of Rani Padmavati to get him free from the clutches of Khilji, but unfortunately, he was killed. After that Rani Padmavati along with 16000 Rajput ladies jumped into the bowl of fire and committed Sati to protect their honour and the prestige of the nation. Rani Padmavati is revered as Goddess by Rajput in Chittorgarh. Any portrayal of her in the taste below her stature is not tolerable for Rajputs. They demand an immediate ban on the film Padmavati. Film Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali says that the role of Rani Padmavati played by Deepika Padukone has been painted with utmost care and she has been held in the highest esteem in the whole cinema. As the film paints the war between Aladdin Khilji and Rajputs, the political parties, especially the ruling BJP, don't miss the chance of exploiting the controversy over it in terms of Rajput votes in view of the Gujarat assembly elections. The film was to be released on December 1, but now it would not be allowed to be released before Gujarat assembly elections. Now come to the freedom of expression that when the film director undertakes the responsibility that there is nothing in the film which could hurt the sentiment and damage the prestige of Rajput community, their fierce opposition to its screening baffles the general public. Now it is for the government of the day to not allow the handful of muscle men to throttle the freedom of expression. Some openly threaten Deepika of cutting her nose like what Laxman did to Ravan’s sister Supernekha in the Ramayan. Some other declares of awarding the prize of Rs. 5 crore rupees for beheading the artists. And the government of the day is listening to these threats as mute spectators. Rajputs allege that the character of Rani Padmavati has been painted in bad taste. They say that Rani never danced while Deepika was dancing in the film in her role as the trailer shows. Without witnessing the movie, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindhia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh banned the film Padmavati in their respective states. Which film is to be released and which is not to be released is the power of Film Censor Board. It would be better for the Censor Board to watch the movie and then decided what to do with it. The banning order given by both the CMs in their respective states amply indicates that our leaders use every issue for votes. Neither the public sentiment be hurt nor the freedom of expression be curtailed at any cost.