New Delhi:
The Kalinga Sena on Monday withdrew its threat of throwing ink at Shah Rukh Khan during his visit to Odisha for participating in the opening ceremony of the Men’s Hockey World Cup on Tuesday, according to news agency ANI. The Kalinga Sena took the decision following an appeal from Hockey India president, Odisha government and the police.
“We have decided to withdraw the threat for the time being in view of the request made by Hockey India President and Odisha govt and police. Further, the decision will be taken later but we haven't forgiven Shah Rukh Khan,” said Kalinga Sena chief Hemant Rath.
We have withdrawn our threat to throw ink at Shah Rukh Khan as we have received a letter from President of Hockey India requesting to consider the decision. Secondly, it is a matter of prestige of Odisha and India: Kalinga Sena chief Hemant Rath (26.11) pic.twitter.com/0Algbd2154
— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2018
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On November 1, the outfit had filed a complaint with the police alleging that Shah Rukh Khan has hurt the sentiment of Odia people and dishonoured the state’s culture by portraying the Kalinga war in a wrong manner in his film Asoka.
The Kalinga (historical name of Odisha) war was fought in 265 BC in which Emperor Ashoka defeated the Kalinga king and the kingdom was annexed to the Mauryan empire. The war is considered one of the bloodiest battles and had prompted Ashoka to embrace Buddhism.
Asoka, which was released in 2001, could not run in the theatres in the state for more than seven days due to protests.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has invited Khan, who is slated to be present at the Kalinga Stadium on November 27, for the inauguration of the Men’s Hockey World Cup.
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Kalinga Sena had held a rally on November 11 and burnt Shah Rukh Khan’s effigy as a mark of protest. A senior police officer said adequate security arrangements will be made for all the visiting VVIPs including Khan.
