Violence erupts at Bhopal cinema hall over screening of ‘Gadar’
20th June 2001
17.52 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau
The Madhya Pradesh Government has issued prohibitory orders in Old Bhopal city and arrested 45 people following violent protests by some people from a community at a cinema hall screening Hindi film of ''Gadar'' in Bhopal on Tuesday.
District Youth Congress president Arif Masood, who had allegedly led the protestors, is reported to be absconding. The police party, which went to his residence to arrest him, was stoned by supporters of Mr. Masood.
Half a dozen people, including four policemen, were injured when unruly protestors attacked the cinema hall with petrol bombs and set ablaze as many vehicles. They were demanding a ban on the screening of the controversial Hindi film as, they alleged, it contained certain objectionable scenes, which hurt sentiments of their community.
However, the screening of the movie continued uninterrupted in two cinema halls of the state capital. The district administration organized a special show of the movie for people belonging to different communities on Wednesday morning.
Additional district magistrate M B Ojha said the question of banning the screening of Gadar did not arise as it was duly passed by the Censor Board. The special show was meant to deliberate on the scenes, which were being objected to, he added.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress President Radha Kishan Malviya said disciplinary action would be taken if any Youth Congress officer bearer was found to be involved in the case.
The Madhya Pradesh Government has issued prohibitory orders in Old Bhopal city and arrested 45 people following violent protests by some people from a community at a cinema hall screening Hindi film of ''Gadar'' in Bhopal on Tuesday.