Panipat Row: Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha Writes To CBFC Alleging ‘Distortion Of History’

Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha has joined Rajasthan Chief Minsiter Ashok Gehlot in raising objections against the content of Ashutosh Gowarikers film Panipat and has written a letter to the Chairperson of the Central board of Film Certification demanding its ban at theatres. The President of the Brahmin outfit, Suresh Mishra has alleged that the movie has distorted historical facts to suit its storyline.

In his letter, Mishra has claimed that the way films like ‘Panipat’ are tampering historical facts is utterly wrong and the Censor by giving clearance is ‘losing its morality’ and encouraging filmmakers to distort historical facts.

Mishra has also demanded the censor board to take into account the protests happening in Rajasthan and order a ban on the film with immediate effect. The organization according to Mishra should also instruct Gowariker to not tamper historical facts in near future.

The organization has earlier protested the release of Kangana Ranaut starrer Manikarnika: the Queen of Jhansi, Deepika Padukone starrer Padmaavat and Ayushmann Khuranna’s Article 15.

On Monday, five men were arrested by the Jaipur Police for vandalising a cinema hall in the Rajasthan’s capital city. Rajasthan Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh on Sunday demanded a ban on the screening of Ashutosh Gowariker's "Panipat" in North India to avoid a law and order situation, following protest against the film in Bharatpur.

Ashok Gehlot too urged the Censor Board to take note of the claims. He also urged distributors to have a dialogue with Rajasthan's Jat community, some of whose members are offended by the film starring Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt. "The reactions that are coming about the portrayal of Maharaja Surajmal ji in the film... such a situation should not have been created,” the chief minister said. "The Censor Board should intervene and take cognisance of it." "Distributors should immediately hold a dialogue with the people of the Jat community on the screening of the film," Gehlot said in a statement in Hindi.

Arjun plays the role of Sadashiv Rao Bhau, commander of the Maratha army and the movie allegedly shows Bharatpur king Maharaja Surajmal as a greedy emperor, who wanted to conquer the Red Fort of Agra and denied help to Maratha army during the Panipat battle. 

The movie is based on the third battle of Panipat fought between the Maratha empire and Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761.