After the Supreme Court order asking BJP-ruled States like Rajasthan to ensure that the movie Padmaavat is released in theatres, not just the State governments but the Opposition Congress too seems to be in a tight spot in taking a firm stand for or against the movie.
With elections in Rajasthan scheduled later this year where the Rajput community could be a determining factor, the party is shying away from taking a position on the State government’s ban or endorsing the movie as an expression of freedom of expression.
The party, at its official briefings, took a nuanced stance that “The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority and the State Government must ensure law and order.” Former Union Minister Sachin Pilot, who heads the Congress in Rajasthan, has been conspicuously silent on the issue after the top court’s order.
Earlier, before the Supreme Court order, the Congress chief had said, “If the Chief Minister was genuinely concerned about the Rajput sentiments then she should have intervened a year ago when the film was shot in Rajasthan and found a middle ground.”
An exact break up of the percentage of Rajputs in Rajasthan's population of 6.8 crore (as per 2011 census data) isn't available in the public domain but they are believed to consist of 10%. Apart from the numbers, the Rajputs are a dominant and powerful caste with a majority of erstwhile rulers and royal families among their numbers. Conservative estimates suggest that the community could play a decisive role in as many as 50 to 60 seats in the 200 member Assembly.
Traditionally, the community has backed the BJP; some of their tallest leaders like Bhairon Singh Shekhawat belonged to the party. But a section of the Rajputs are now angry with the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government after gangster Anandpal, who belonged to the community, was allegedly killed in a fake encounter last June. Further after a protest rally in Nagaur — called by Rajput outfits — turned violent resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 20 policemen, the State government filed cases against the leaders of the rally for inciting violence.
Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, leader of the Karni Sena, a Rajput outfit, who has been at the forefront of the protests against the movie, told The Hindu that community organisations wanted to teach the BJP a ‘lesson’.
“As a community, we have always supported the BJP but then the Vasundhara government slapped cases against us after we protested against Anandpal’s encounter,” Mr. Gogamedi said.
Published - January 19, 2018 10:49 pm IST
