Gujarat Police have arrested five persons including members of Karni Sena and Vishwa Hindu Parishad for allegedly vandalising a rangloi inspired by an upcoming film ‘Padmavati’ at a mall in Surat.
Surat Commissioner of Police Satish Sharma said, “We have arrested five people. Four persons belong to Karni Sena and one VHP member. Raids are being carried out to arrest the others involved in the incident.”
He added that they have asked the mall owners to come forward to lodge complaints in cases of vandalism.
The Surat commissioner of police added, “We will deal strictly with any such action. Freedom of expression is everyone's right in a democracy, but vandalism will not be allowed.”
Police have identified the arrested as Vikramsih Sekhawat, Shambhusinh Rathod, Narendra Chaudhary, Sanjaysinh Gohil and Shailendra Rajput.
The arrested have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 141, 149 — unlawful assembly, 451 — trespassing, 427 — mischief causing damage.
Also read: Padmavati: Deepika Padukone asks for action post rangoli vandalism
On October 16 a local artist had registered am FIR against a group of people for vandalising a rangoli created by a local artist.
On Wednesday Deepika Padukone had said that she was heartbroken by the attack on a rangoli inspired by her upcoming film "Padmavati" and drew Union minister Smriti Irani's attention to the incident.
On Twitter the Padmavati actor wrote, "Absolutely heart breaking to see the recent attack on artist Karan and his artwork! Disgusting and appalling to say the least!"
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