Sambhal: The national president of Kshatriya Karni Sena, Raj Shekhawat, has threatened to enter filmmakers’ homes in Mumbai to “teach them a lesson” over films he claims target Sanatan Dharma.
Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Chamunda temple in Hallu Sarai on Saturday night, Shekhawat raised strong objections to the upcoming films “Yadav Ji Ki Love Story” and “Ghooskhor Pandat”.
“The time has come to enter the homes of producers and directors who make films on our deities and culture and teach them a lesson,” Shekhawat said. He accused filmmakers of previously targeting the Kshatriya and Brahmin communities and now “insulting” the Yadav community, using freedom of expression as a pretext to make content that “misleads the youth” and “hurts religious sentiments.”
Shekhawat added, “I am directing Karni Sena workers to be ready. We will soon go to Mumbai and take action against such filmmakers in their own homes.”
The controversy over “Yadav Ji Ki Love Story,” set to release on February 27, stems from its depiction of a romantic relationship between a woman from the Yadav community and a Muslim man, which some community members say could disturb social harmony and hurt sentiments. Some BJP leaders have also sought a ban on the film, while the producers have not responded to the allegations.
The Karni Sena chief further announced a “mega-movement” in Delhi on March 8 against the new UGC equity regulations, saying a Swarna Samaj Committee has been formed to demand their withdrawal. He added that the Sena is coordinating with various MPs to gather political support.
An FIR was lodged against the producer, director, and main leads of “Yadav Ji Ki Love Story” in Sambhal on February 18.
The agitation follows a similar controversy earlier this month over the Netflix film “Ghooskhor Pandat.” After a petition claimed the title was “offensive” and “defamatory,” Netflix informed the Delhi High Court that the film, starring Manoj Bajpayee, would be renamed. The court subsequently closed proceedings after being told that promotional materials had been withdrawn.
Lucknow Police had registered an FIR against the director of “Ghooskhor Pandat”, citing charges of promoting social animosity and hurting religious sentiments under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
With PTI inputs