Padmavati row: Congress's Shashi Tharoor and BJP's Smriti Irani fight it out over Bhansali film

The row over the film Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, has blown over into a full political slugfest, and it has now become Congress vs BJP. 

Poulomi Saha  | Posted by Lakshana N Palat
New Delhi, November 17, 2017 | UPDATED 18:35 IST

From a feud over Rajput pride being allegedly tarnished to a full-blown political slugfest now, the row over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmavati rages on. It is Congress vs BJP now. Congress's Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor expressed his support for the film, when he spoke yesterday at the Tata Lit Fest in Mumbai. He criticised the erstwhile royal families of Rajasthan for their vehement opposition to Padmavati.

Tharoor questioned their sense of pride and honour when it was being "trampled upon" by the British before Independence. Facing criticism for his attack, Tharoor clarified on social media that he wasn't opposed to the Rajput community's opposition to the film.

"Some blind followers of the BJP are spreading false propaganda that I've commented against Rajput honour. Speaking against British rule, I discussed those royals that stood by the side of our colonisers," he said. "Keeping our cultural diversity in mind, I will say fearlessly that it is our duty to respect the sentiments of the Rajput community. Their valour is a part of our history that can't be questioned. BJP and the Censor Board should respect this," Tharoor clarified.

But the BJP wasn't going to let him get away so easily. The party, which has been steadfastly supporting the sentiments of the Rajput community, was quick to react.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani tweeted, "Did all Maharajas bend down before the British? What do the likes of Jyotiraditya Scindia, Capt Amarinder Singh and Digvijaya Singh have to say?" she mocked, alluding to the royal lineage of these Congress leaders.

Speaking to India Today exclusively, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had said yesterday that freedom of expression is not absolute and if misrepresented, a community has every right to feel offended. Jyotiraditya Scindia advised Tharoor to "brush up" on his history and learn the role the Maharajas played during the British rule. 

Meanwhile, Shaktisinh Gohil, senior leader and national spokesperson of the Congress party, told India Today Television that if Padmavati hurts Rajput sentiments, the Censor Board should put a stay on the release of the film. Padmavati is a matter of Rajput pride and it should not be released until the Shri Rajput Karni Sena gives it a green signal.

The Congress leader added that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the release of the film; at the time. Smriti Irani , who had a different point of view back then, has taken a U-turn and made things political, Gohil claimed.

ALSO WATCH: Nitin Gadkari interview; Padmavati controversy turns ugly