Padmavati released

Padmavati which should have been released on 1/12/2017 is now running in theatres after deletion of ‘I” from its name and some modifications. The shows began at 6 p.m. on 24/1/2018 in some theatres. Some states banned the film and after Supreme Court overturned the ban they did not provide security to theatres while goons resorted to violence and damaged public and private property. While there is officially no ban against the film in any state it is not shown in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Theatre owners are afraid to show the film in those states.
Criminals have a field day when state governments are hand in glove with them. The film is out. Pirated DVDs will be out soon. Some sites also may show the film. It is just a matter of time before the people in four states watch the film, perhaps free of charge.
What can one do when fence eats crop? State governments should maintain law and order. Instead they give criminals a free run. Breakdown of law and order is a fit case for imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.
There is one contempt petition in Supreme Court against Karni Sena for violence against release of the film. Tehseen Poonawalla has filed a petition in Supreme Court for action against governments of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Both petitions are scheduled for hearing on 29/1/2018. In Haryana there was an attack on a school bus.
Harish Salve who represented the producers in Supreme Court got death threat. He is the one who had suggested India go to International Court of Justice in Kulbhushan Jadhav case. He represented India in ICJ. He took as his fee just one rupee. Prasoon Joshi got death threat though as CBFC chairperson he delayed the certification of the film. There are threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. No action is taken against criminals who announce bounty for beheading or mutilation.
When Pahlaj Nihalani was CBFC chairperson there was constant criticism of him on TV channels. Udta Punjab got cleared by Bombay High Court and CBFC certified it under the names of judges. Things are not better under Prasoon Joshi but there is no constant criticism of him. Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s Mohalla Assi did not get CBFC certificate. He went to Delhi High Court which cleared it. Even after that there was no CBFC certificate for about two months. Then there was contempt petition in Delhi High Court. After that CBFC certified it under the names of judges. Chandraprakash Dwivedi is a member of CBFC.
It is time for Republic Day. Ten ASEAN leaders are in India as chief guests for Republic Day. Normal practice is to have one chief guest for Republic Day. It is bad publicity for India when ten foreign leaders witness mobocracy in India.