Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Dec 25: The police department has deployed KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police) force inside and outside the premises of malls in the city, in the wake of protest by Bajrang Dal activists against the screening of Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer 'Dilwale' directed by Rohit Shetty.
However, despite the police security, the multiplex managements have refused to screen the movie.
It may be recalled that on December 20, activists of Bajrang Dal, protesting against Shah Rukh Khan's statement on intolerance, had forcibly stopped the screening of 'Dilwale' in three malls in the city. Since then, the theatre managements have suspended the shows.
Speaking to daijiworld, DCP Shantharaju said, "The police department has provided adequate protection to the malls to screen the film, but the decision to screen it or not is left to the theatre managements."
Balakrishna Shetty, manager of Big Cinemas told daijiworld that the theatre would not be screening the movie, while Deepak Ganghadar, managing head of PVR Cinemas said that there was no schedule to screen the movie this week.
Meanwhile, state home minister G Parameshwara said that attempts to engage in immoral rowdyism in the coastal region on the issue of screening of the film would be ruthlessly crushed. He said that the government will not allow people to take law into their hands.
On Thursday December 24, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) had organized a protest in front of the deputy commissioner's office, urging the government to initiate legal steps against Sangh Parivar outfits which have blocked the screening of the film in the city.