Bajrang Dal activists had theatres stop screenings of ‘Dilwale’.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
Vidya Dinker, a Mangaluru-based social activist has faced online abuse and rape threats after she filed a complained against Bajrang Dal activists, who allegedly intimidated theatres into stopping the screening of Shahrukh Khan- Kajol starrer Dilwale.
According to The News Minute’s report, Dinker received rape threats and abuse on Facebook after she registered an FIR at Mangaluru North police station against the state convenor of the Bajrang Dal, Sharan Pumpwell, and others for allegedly threatening theatre owners who screened Dilwale.
The News Minute quoted Dinker as saying, “I heard a few people, who had booked tickets for Shah Rukh’s Dilwale, complain that when they went to the theatre on Sunday evening theatre owners offered a refund as the movie would not be screened.”
“I was told by a theatre owner that on Sunday right-wing activists came to the theatre asking that the 4 pm to 7 pm screening that was mid-way be stopped. However, the right-wing activists agreed to let the ongoing show get over and cancel screening thereafter,” she told.
“The complete fear that they have managed to instil in everyone means that there is a parallel criminal justice system at work,” Dinker added.
Pumpwell told the Minute that the activists only “requested” theatre owners not to screen Dilwale and that Dinker’s claims are baseless.
“We did not cause any physical damage as Vidya Dinker claims. The theatre owners themselves respected our sentiments and agreed to stop the screening,” said Pumpwell.
On the releasing day itself, Dilwale and Ranveer Singh-starrer Bajirao Mastani faced protest from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Pune. All shows of Bajirao Mastani were cancelled by a multiplex in Pune.
Dilwale had been facing protests from BJP’s youth wing — Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists in many theatres. They are protesting against Khan’s statement on intolerance in the country.