Legal notice to Shivraj Singh Chouhan for ban on Padmavati

BHOPAL: An RTI activist has sent a legal notice to Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeking an explanation for his “abrupt” decision to ban the movie ‘Padmavati’ before its release.
Gwalior resident Hari Krishna Basneria, through his lawyer Purshotam Rai, has sought a reply in three days, pointing out that the movie was “banned” without a gazette notification. Chouhan had announced on November 20 — after meeting Rajput representatives — that Padmavati will not be screened in MP until corrections are made “as per public demand”. Calling Rani Padmavati ‘Rashtra Mata’, the CM had said that a film that “distorts facts and disrespects mother of the nation will not be screened in MP”.
The Gujarat government also banned ‘Padmavati’ two days later through a notification issued by the information and broadcasting department under Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 2004. The RTI activist wonders why MP banned the movie “on the basis of controversies and media reports”. “Kindly inform how and where have you have seen this movie and which portion of this film distorts facts,” reads the notice.