Madhya Pradesh officer orders banning Padmavati song at school functions, served notice

A Madhya Pradesh education officer issued a circular banning the song 'Ghumro' from the period drama to be played at school functions.

BHOPAL: Amid the raging controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming period drama 'Padmavati', a Madhya Pradesh education officer on Wednesday issued a circular banning a song from the period drama from being playing at cultural programmes in schools. 

However, soon after the circular was released, the district collector ordered to take it down with immediate effect. 

The collector said that a show cause notice seeking to explain the action has been issued to the education officer in this regard. 

In the circular issued yesterday, Dewas district education officer (DEO) Rajiv Suryavanshi directed the principals and headmasters of all government and private schools to not use Padmavati's song, 'Ghoomar' during cultural programmes in their respective institutions.

"Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena has submitted a request letter in the honour of Maa Padmavati. It was requested that Hindu sentiments should not be offended by playing 'Ghoomar' song in the cultural programmes being organised in schools. So, do not use 'Ghoomar' song in the cultural programmes in schools," reads the circular.

However, Dewas Collector Asheesh Singh said he has asked the education officer to withdraw the circular with immediate effect adding that only the state government has the right to issue such circulars. 

He said the DEO is also being served a show cause notice to explain his action, within three days.

"Padmavati", featuring Padukone, Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles, has been facing the wrath of various Rajput groups and political leaders, who have accused filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting history and for showing Rani Padmini in a bad light.

Earlier scheduled to hit theatres on December 1, the release date of the film has been indefinitely postponed by the makers following numerous controversies.

'Padmavati' has been cleared by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) without any cuts however but the producers said that they are not planning to release the film without the Indian censor board's go-ahead.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to to hear on November 28 a fresh plea seeking a direction to makers of the Bollywood film 'Padmavati' not to release it outside India on December 1.