Mangaluru: Police security for screening of 'Dilwale' in theatres
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Updated
Mangaluru, Dec 22: After a group of Bajrang Dal activists forcibly stopped the screening of 'Dilwale' starring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the police department on Tuesday December 22 decided to provide security to the theatres screening the movie.
The Bajrang Dal activists, in protest against comments on intolerance made by Shah Rukh Khan last month, on Sunday December 20 had barged into the malls in the city and stopped the screening of the movie. They had also allegedly warned the theatre managements against screening any movie starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
The theatres, namely Cinepolis at City Centre, PVR at Forum Fiza Mall and Big Cinemas at Bharat Mall had suspended the screening of 'Dilwale' following the incident.
Thereafter, the Citizens' Forum for Mangalore Development led by Vidya Dinker filed a complaint against the Bajrang Dal and a case was registered.
On Tuesday December 22, the police held a meeting with the managements of theatres screening the movie after which it was decided to provide security to the theatres so that the movie shows could resume.
In a press note, the police also said that action would be taken against those who had protested against the screening of the movie on Monday December 21.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Case filed against Bajrang Dal for stopping 'Dilwale' screening
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Dec 22: A case has been filed in Pandeshwar police station here against Bajrang Dal and others for forcibly stopping the screening of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Dilwale' in various theatres of the city on December 20. Bajrang Dal state convenor Sharan Pumpwell has also been named in the complaint.
The case has been registered based on the memorandum submitted by Vidya Dinker coordinator for Citizens' Forum for Mangalore Development. The memorundam was submitted to the commissioner of police S Murugan on Monday, December 21.
Activists of Bajrang Dal on Sunday December 20 raided theatres in the city and stopped the screening of latest movie 'Dilwale' directed by Rohit Shetty. The Bajrang Dal activists conducted the raids in protest against Shah Rukh Khan's statement on 'intolerance' . The raid follows a string of protests by VHP, Bajrang Dal and other right-wing outfits throughout the country against the Bollywood superstar.
Vidya Dinker speaking to daijiworld said, "We submitted a memorandum to the commissioner of police. We were unhappy to note that there were people trying to dictate what movie we should watch and what we should not. So we sought police intervention in this matter. This kind of immoral policing incidents are increasing these days. Even earlier we have raised our voice against incidents of immoral policing. This time also we met the police commissioner and asked him that to see the law of the land should prevail."
The memorandum states: "It is reported that rowdies belonging to Bajrang Dal attacked the three multiplexes in the city, namely PVR, Cinepolis and Big Cinemas, which had scheduled screenings of the film and tickets had also been sold for the same. It is reported that on Sunday Decmber 20, 2015, the gangs shouted abusively at the cinema outlets, trespassed into the premises and tore up posters of the film. Cinegoers were visibly distressed by the incident and the multiplex managements panicked and cancelled the subsequent shows. As of now, the movie’s screenings continue to be cancelled at the multiplxes and have not been revived by the managements due to security concerns.
"When one of the individual theatre owners sought police protection, he was allegedly told by police officials to run the show at his own risk. It is reported in the media that Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell has openly accepted responsibility for the attack. He even attributed their motive as being to enforce boycott of Shah Rukh Khan’s films in retaliation against certain comments made by him regarding the issue of intolerance.
"We hereby wish to express our outrage over these affronts on our civil rights. Such incidences of immoral policing have been going on rampantly for the last few years. Citizens are being told what to do and what not to do by these goons and their anti-social outfits. These rowdies are holding civil society to ransom and citizens’ rights are being compromised.
"The police department has regrettably failed in reigning in these anti social elements. Even in this case, our enquiries with eye witnesses at the affected multiplexes have revealed that police contingent played the role of a silent bystander and made no attempt to intervene when Bajrang Dal goons tore up the movie posters right under their noses.
"We wish to place on record our strong protest against anti democratic and illegal attacks on civil society and citizens rights by various self styled extremist and religious fundamentalist outfits who are virtually ruling the city with intimidation and criminal tactics. This trend of unofficial censorship and moral policing is shameful, unfortunate and amounts to virtual murder of democracy.
"We also express our dismay on the futile role played by police during such incidences. It is always observed that the criminal elements have their way and police intervention is either non-existent, too late, too weak or totally ineffective. A parallel government is being established by these criminal syndicates and citizens are losing confidence in the police and official machinery," states the memorandum.
The Forum also placed the following demands:
- Provide security to all cinemas exhibiting 'Dilwale' Hindi film.
- Initiate enquiry and come out with an official statement on the issue and assure the public that it is safe to visit the cinemas.
- Take action against the guilty parties including their arrest and prosecution as applicable
- Take film exhibitors into confidence and ensure such incidents are not repeated. Assure them protection for immediate revival of screening of 'Dilwale'."