Padmaavat controversy: Karni Sena vandalises school for Ghoomar song at function

A fringe Rajput group vandalised the campus of a private school in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district on Monday when students were performing the Ghoomar song from the controversy-marred Padmaavat movie.

The attack happened at the annual function of St Paul’s School in Jaora where activists of the Rajput Karni Sena, an outfit opposing the Bollywood movie, barged in when students from the elementary classes were singing and dancing to the tune of yet-to-be-released film’s song.

The Karni Sena and other Rajput groups allege that the movie distorts history and the Ghoomar track portrays queen Padmini or Padmavati as a courtesan, saying royal women never performed the traditional folk dance of Rajasthan.

Nearly a dozen activists allegedly threatened the school administration, created ruckus and vandalized property. “The activists also misbehaved with parents and teachers. They broke chairs and the stage. Four people were detained after police reached the school. We have registered a case against them,” Jaora sub-divisional police officer DR Male said.

Karni Sena leaders in Ratlam couldn’t be contacted for comments.

The district education officer in Dewas had issued an order banning the song on Karni Sena’s request. The restrictions were withdrawn later.