Anti-Padmaavat Mobs Run Riot in Ahmedabad, Over 200 Vehicles Torched, Shops Vandalised

Ahmedabad, Jan 24: Ahead of the release of controversial film Padmaavat, protesters in Ahmedabad ran amok torching down over 200 vehicles and vandalising dozens of shops.

The violence erupted after members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena and other Rajput groups took out a candle march at SG Road. Interestingly, the Karni Sena claims its cadres were not involved in the arson which broke out following the march.

The protesters resorted to stone-pelting at the Wide Angle Multiplex and Gulmohar Park Mall in Satellite. They also damaged the PVR Cinemas at Acropolis on SG Road and vandalised shops at the Himalaya Mall on Gurukul Road.

In the wake of violence, Deputy CM Nitin Patel said action would be taken against those who unleashed the arson. He, however, also appealed the people of Gujarat to "voluntarily boycott" the film as it hurts the feelings of a section of Rajput community.

Padmaavat is slated for all-India release on January 25, as the Supreme Court, in the past week, upheld the ban imposed on its screenings by the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

In a final bid to stall the movie's release, the governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh filed a petition before the top court seeking review of its order. However, the bench led by Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra dismissed the plea, instructing both the states to ensure adequate security to counter the threat issued by the Karni Sena.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2018 10:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).