Never short of words, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha comes out in the open to implore the Prime Minister to express his take on the ongoing conflict on the film Padmaavat.
Says Mr Sinha, “Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are being criticised for not coming out to openly condemn the protests against Padmaavat. But why must we in the entertainment industry be expected to take a stand on political issues when the honourable Prime Minister is quiet? Mr Narendra Modi and the Information & Broadcasting Minister, Smriti Irani, should’ve spoken up on the issue long back. Now, when the matter has escalated out of hand there is still time for them to speak out. Better late than never.”
Shatrughan Sinha welcomes the honourable Supreme Court’s decision to revoke the ban on Padmaavat. “It’s a welcome decision and the right decision. The States which had imposed a ban on the film should honour the Court’s decision. Having said that, I wonder why the issue was allowed to escalate to this breaking-point. The problem should’ve been nipped in the bud. Instead, it was allowed to get out of hand.”
Mr Sinha feels the solution lies in showing the film to the leaders of the Karni Sena. “Let the Sena leaders watch the film. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with them. They were very good to me when they honoured me a month back. The Karni Sena is not unreasonable. Show them the film and let them decide there is nothing objectionable against their revered Queen Padmavati in the film. If they’ve apprehensions why should we not respect their apprehensions?”
As far as the threats to vandalise theatres showing Padmaavat goes, Shatrughan Sinha counsels the protestors to hold their peace. “You are being hasty in your judgment. You haven’t seen the film. Let the film release and then decide if there’s anything objectionable. Threatening to destroy property and cause damage to human life is not a healthy form of protest.”
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