The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a contempt petition against Shri Rajput Karni Sena and the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana following widespread protests that have rocked several parts of the country following the release of ‘Padmavat’ today.
Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla moved the Supreme Court seeking action for contempt of court against Karni Sena for indulging in violent protests and against governments of four states for failing to control them.
A Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice of India had last week rejected contentions of several states seeking ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie ‘Padmavat’ on grounds of violent reactions that it would attract.
The apex court had lifted bans on the film imposed by these states and instead directed them to provide adequate security to multiplexes and maintain law and order. Review petitions filed against this order by Gujarat and Rajasthan were also rejected by the court subsequently.
To protest against the movie’s release, violent mobs associated with Karni Sena burnt vehicles and destroyed public property in several cities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. In Gurugram, one horrific incident also saw a private school bus being attacked with stones.
A bench comprising of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud will hear these contempt petitions on Monday.