January 22, 2025

Pic courtesy: indianexpress
The attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the sets of Rani Padmavati needs to be condemned in the strongest possible way for three reasons. The first and most important reason is that whatever the difference of opinion or provocation, no person or group of persons has the right to take the law in his own hand and damage property or assault other citizens. Secondly, a film is a work of art which is scripted as fiction. It may or may not be based on history or true story. Even if it is based on a true story, it is generally a fictionalized portrayal of events. The story and script writers add whatever comes to their imagination. Unless a filmmaker expressly says that his film is a true portrayal of history, all films must be treated as works of fiction. Thirdly, Rajput Karni Sena acted on rumours that Bhansali had shown a love angle and intimate scenes between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji. The film has not yet been made. No one can say for a fact that such scenes are a part of the film. Further, if the Sena is aggrieved by these scenes when the end product goes for certification by CBFC, it can always make a representation to have them deleted, although that again will be treating the film as pure historical document and not its fictionalized version. But still, no reason can be compelling enough to the kind of rowdyism displayed by members of the Sena.

It has become a recurring feature of Indian society that people aggrieved by others in any way whatsoever do not seek redress through legal means. Even a group of 20 people are gathering courage to indulge in abuse, arson and assault to settle scores. Filmmakers, writers, thinkers, social activists, journalists, actors, models, businessmen and housing societies have become easy targets. The abuse takes the form of trolling in social media or hurling shoes and even blackening faces, while assault and arson can be anything like attacking a Hussain art show or disrupting a literary fest or even entering a housing society and vandalizing vehicles on mere suspicion (as it happened in Kolkata). Dissent is an integral part of a multi-dimensional democratic society. But this dissent has to take the form of debate, discussion and lawful protest. If laws exist in favour of the dissenters, they should approach the courts. If not, they should petition the legislature to enact such laws. But by resorting to strong arm tactics to force their illegal points of view on others – without any debate or discussion – these dissenters want jungle raj. The government and the society must not allow this by discouraging this trend. Those indulging in such vandalism should be arrested and punished to discourage others like them. Padmavati is just a ruse, actually groups want it their way or no way at all. This is a sickening trend that can make India a one-dimensional society that will kill all innovation and enterprise.