Against the backdrop of a high-pitch controversy over the yet-to-be-released film ‘Padmavati’, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday spoke against the trend of giving violent threats and announcing rewards for physical harm and undermining the rule of law in the country.
Naidu, who was speaking at a literary festival here, did not directly mention the movie currently in focus but referred to films and art in general while speaking about problems of hurt sentiments leading to protests, some turning violent.
The Vice-President said there is now a new problem over some films where people feel that they have hurt the sentiments of some religions or communities and that has led to protests.
He said while protesting, some people go overboard and announce rewards. "Whether these fellows have that much money or not, I doubt. Everyone is announcing Rs one crore reward. Is it so easy to have Rs 1 crore? This is not acceptable in a democracy. You have the right to protest in a democratic manner, go to the appropriate authorities...You cannot physically obstruct and can't give violent threats. Let us not undermine the rule of law," he said.
While stating that he was not talking about a particular film but in general, Naidu named previously banned films like Garam Hawa, Kissa Kursi Ka and Aandhi.
Film Kissa Kursi Ka related to the times of Sanjay Gandhi and Aandhi apparently portrayed or hinted at Indira Gandhi's political career.
Film Padmavati, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Deepika Padukone in the lead in the role of Rajput queen ‘Padmavati’, has currently kicked up a row with threats to stop the film for allegedly wrong portrayal of the queen vis-a -vis Alauddin Khiljee, the 13th century sultan of Delhi who was apparently enchanted by the beauty of the Chittor ‘Rani’. Most of the historians have not confirmed the existence of Padmavati and the episode linking her with Khiljee.
Some Rajput leaders and groups from Rajasthan have reportedly announced a bounty on the heads of Bhansali and Padukone and announced they would stop screening of the film which is yet to be seen by the Central Board of Film Certification, headed by the adman and film lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
"You have no right to take laws into your own hands. At the same time, you don't have the right to hurt the sentiments of others", Naidu said. On incidents of dissent, Naidu said while dissent was agreeable, disintegration is not.
Nadu said these incidents, taking place in the country, need to be identified, isolated and dealt with firmly and that according to him was a "challenge".