When the film Pathaan released on 25 January, it was accompanied by a series of protests staged in several cities of the country.
Madhya Pradesh
In Indore district of Madhya Pradesh, Hindu activists decided to protest at all the 25 small and big theatres where the movie was set to be released. The district head, Tannu Sharma, while speaking to the media said that they would request people to not watch the movie as Shahrukh Khan always praises Pakistan.
The movie is hurting Hindu religious sentiments and showing women in bad light, he said, adding that Hindus should not tolerate disrespect to saffron.
Asked by the reporter what would he do if people did not heed his request, he said his group would do “de dana dan” if needed.
Watch the video here:
Similar marches were organised in the district by volunteers of Hindu Jagran Manch after which a show was cancelled. The volunteers also recited Hanuman Chalisa in front of the cinema hall.
Watch the video here.
In the Badwani district of Madhya Pradesh, the protesters chanted slogans against the movie. They later set a poster on fire.
Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, activists said the movie was made to defame Hindu culture. The creators are not only disrespecting the sacred saffron color but are also targeting the religion, they said.
Visuals from the protest march:
Chhattisgarh
In Chhattisgarh, Bajrang Dal volunteers have been organising protests against the film for almost a week now. They were seen taking down posters and pamphlets in the Bhilai and Durg District of Chhattisgarh.
These protests were headed by Ratan Yadav, Bajrang Dal State head.
Visuals from the protest:
Protests were also organised in Agra city of UP where Hindu activists reached a mall and raised slogans.
Visuals can be seen here.
As per a report by Hindustan Times, some volunteers also reached the Meher Cinema hall to stop the owner after which a case was filed against them at Rakabganj Police Station.
Bihar
In Bihar’s Patna, activists in saffron clothes organised a ‘Gyan Yagya’ to ‘awaken Hindus’. and raised slogans against the Pathaan movie and the lead actor Shahrukh Khan. A video can be seen here.
Another protest was organized in front of the theatre in Bhagalpur in Bihar where enraged activists set a poster on fire. They first tore the poster and then set it on fire. All of this was done in front of the Deep Prabha cinema hall.
As per a report by Indian Express, the Pune police in Maharashtra registered a case against protesting activists who assembled near the Rahula cinema hall at Shivaji Nagar on 22 January.
Karnataka
In Karnataka, Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists organised a protest march against the film. ANI reported that posters were burnt in some parts of Bangalore.
.
Rajasthan
In Jodhpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists organised a protest march against the lead actors at Jaljog Square. Later a Hanuman Chalisa path was also organised in front of a theatre in Jodhpur.
Criticism & Review as per Section 52 of Indian Copyright Act, 1957
We Need Your Support
Your Aahuti is what sustains this Yajna. With your Aahuti, the Yajna grows. Without your Aahuti, the Yajna extinguishes. We are a small team that is totally dependent on you. To support, consider making a voluntary subscription.
UPI ID - gemsofbollywood@upi / gemsofbollywood@icici