Strong Protest by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists against Pathaan in Gujarat.

Hindutva Activists Vandalise in a Mall Over ‘Pathaan’ Posters in Ahmedabad.

“We will not allow the  release of the movie Pathaan in the theatres or multiplexes in Gujarat”

Upendra Bharti | New Delhi | Jan 5, 2023:: Angered members of the Gujarat Bajrang Dal and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) vandalised a mall in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (January 4), tearing down posters and hoardings of the upcoming Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Pathaan. It is also reported that some members of Rajput karni Sena also jpoind the protest against the display of Pathaan Films in a Mall in Karnavati area of Ahmedabad.

Five members of the mob were detained by the police and then later released, reported PTI, It is not clear whether an FIR has been registered against those involved in the vandalism, The Hindu reported.

In a video of the incident, shared by the Bajrang Dal itself as it was published by the ANI, the Hindu right activists can be seen tearing down posters of the film and kicking on them, while waving saffron flags in the air. A make-shift gate stalled before the Mall with the advertisement of Pathaan was also dragged down to earth by the infuriated Hindu activists.

The movie is set to be release on Jan 25 and Hindutva organisations had objected to the music video for the song ‘Besharam Rang (Shameless Colour)’. The entire unhappiness appears to be based on the fact that in the video, Padukone at one point is wearing an saffron outfit (which is sacred colour as per Hindu concept) while dancing with Shahrukh Khan with an indication to saffron as a shameless color.

“We will not allow Pathaan’s screening in Gujarat. Today’s protest against the movie’s release in Ahmedabad should be taken as a warning by all the theatre owners across the state. They must stay away from releasing the movie in their theatres or multiplexes,” Gujarat VHP spokesperson Hitendrasinh Rajput had said, according to PTI.

Shahrukh Khan has been seen through his Islamic efforts to displays his roles in his films in My Name is Khan (2010), Raees (2017), Pathaan (2023) or in many other films to glorify Muslim characters fighting against odds and Islamophobia or to  humiliate Hindus in different ways.

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__Inputs from ANI, PTI & The Hindu.