A day before the release of ‘Padmaavat’, protests against the film intensified across several states with members of several fringe outfits taking out rallies, blocking roads and damaging vehicles.
Earlier in the day, 48 people were arrested in Ahmedabad for indulging in violent acts over the film’s release. In fact, on Tuesday night, dissenting outfits unleashed violence and arson in parts of the city.
Mobs attacked shops, torched vehicles, and pelted stones. The destroyed property included at least 200 vehicles, including bikes and cars, that were either set ablaze or damaged.
Subsequently, theatre owners across Gujarat on Wednesday announced their intention to not give the film a screening till the matter was resolved, to ensure “the safety of customers as well as to save their property.”
Three city malls — Acropolis, Ahmedabad One, Himalaya Mall — and Cinemex, the standalone theatre complex, came under attack despite theatre owners in the city declaring they would not screen Padmaavat.
“Eight-10 masked men had come to pelt stones at PVS mall. Police is on the lookout for the men. We will provide security to the mall at the time of screening of the film,” ANI quoted Civil Lines circle officer Chakrapani Tripathi as saying about the situation in Meerut.
Later in the day, clubs and bars in Gurugram were ordered closed from 7pm in view of the disturbances. The closure is expected to continue till further orders are passed by the authorities, reported ANI.
Agitators also blocked the Delhi-Jaipur highway
