Bajrang Dal, VHP cadres vandalise mall in Ahmedabad over 'Pathaan' film row

Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists allegedly vandalised the Cinepolis multiplex in Ahmedabad in protest against the release of the Hindi movie ‘Pathaan’, calling it anti-Hindu. The movie is set for relase on January 25.

The incident occurred at the multiplex at the top floor of the Ahmedabad One Mall on the evening of January 4, when 15-20 members of the right-wing outfits brazenly tore down posters of the movie.

Bajrang Dal takes credit

The incident following a tweet from Bajrang Dal’s Gujarat unit that stated: “Movies of anti-Sanatan Dharma Shah Rukh Khan and tukde-tukde gang Deepika will not be allowed to run in Gujarat.

Also read: Bajrang Dal activists vandalise Ahmedabad One Mall over Jan 25 release of ‘Pathaan’

“Always present to protect the honour of Dharma, Bajrang Dal warned against the release of the movie. If it’s still released, Bajrang Dal will show its real attitude.”

A spokesperson for the Gujarat unit of the VHP, Hitensinh Rajput, said in a statement: “Bajrang Dal workers were informed about the posters of Pathaan in that theatre. We don’t want the movie to be released in Gujarat.”

Police claim no vandalism

After the incident, police reached the spot and detained five protestors who were released in about an hour.

JK Dangar, an Inspector from the Vastrapur police station, told the media: “There were 10 to 12 people who had come to tear the posters of the movie Pathan. They tore, kicked and stepped on the posters and held a demonstration. There was no vandalism as such.”

No FIR has been lodged by the mall authorities.

The controversy around the movie and its song ‘Besharam Rang’ began when Dr Narottam Mishra, the Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said the costumes and scenes of the song were objectionable and that it has been shot with a ‘dirty mindset’.