Madhya Pradesh: Anti-Pathaan protest takes communal turn, four arrested for objectionable slogans after complaint in indore

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Hindu right wing activists protested against Shahrukh Khan-starrer Pathaan at various locations in Indore on Wednesday. An FIR was later registered against some unidentified person for allegedly raising an objectionable slogan during the protest. The FIR was filed after some members of minority community objected to the slogan and staged an agitation. Late in the night, police claimed to have arrested four persons. They did not rule out more arrests stating that probe was underway.

In the morning, right wing activists reached Inox Theatre at Sapna Sangeeta Road and urged people against watching the movie claiming objectionable scenes in a song. Following the protest, the theatre cancelled the first show of the movie. The activists were carrying sticks and even recited Hanuman Chalisa in theatre premises as a mark of protest. A few activists also gathered outside Kastur theatre under Chhatripura police station.

Members of a minority community later met Commissioner of Police Harinarayanachari Mishra and lodged a complaint against those raising objectionable slogans. They also gave a video that was circulated on social media. A heavy police force was deployed outside both the theatres to handle the situation.

Chhatripura police station in-charge Pawan Singhal said, "A protest was organised by an organisation in the premises of Kastur Talkies against Pathaan. During the protest, an unidentified person raised an objectionable slogan, following which some members of a community approached the police." Based on the complaint lodged, a case was registered against some unidentified persons under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Before the FIR was registered with Chhatripura police station, the agitated members of the Muslim community staged a protest at Chandan Nagar police station against the alleged objectionable sloganeering in Kastur Talkies premises and demanded that an FIR be filed.

Eyewitnesses said that senior police officers who reached the spot pacified the protesters and explained that since the incident of sloganeering occurred under Chhatripura police station limits, a complaint can be lodged there. After this, the protest ended at Chandan Nagar police station premises.

The protest at Kastur Cinema Hall was organised on a call given by Bajrang Dal.

Despite repeated attempts, Tannu Sharma, local convener of Bajrang Dal, could not be contacted for his reaction over this episode.

Heavy police force deployed in Khajrana

Following tension, heavy police force was deployed in Khajrana on Wednesday evening. Police claimed that a large crowd gathered at the spot following dispute between two persons. ACP (Khajrana) Jayant Singh Rathore said that after receiving information, senior officers accompanied by the police force reached Khajrana area and removed people from the roads.

No point in protest after Censor Board 'corrections': Mishra

Home Minister Narottam Mishra, among the first politicians to raise objection against Bollywood film Pathaan over certain scenes, on Wednesday said there was no point in protesting anymore against the Shahrukh Khan-starrer movie as the Censor Board has already "taken care" of controversial words. "I believe all rectifications have been made in it (film). The Censor Board has made corrections. Controversial words have been removed. So, I don't see any point in protesting now," Mishra told reporters when asked about demonstrations against Pathaan in Madhya Pradesh. He said that those still protesting against the movie would be counselled.