Manish Sisodia will watch film with Rajputs

New Delhi: Condemning the attack on a school bus in Gurugram by a mob on Wednesday, alleged to be Karni Sena supporters, over the release of “Padmaavat”, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said he would watch the film with Rajput leaders (like him) and brief the people about it later.

“We don’t believe in caste politics yet (I would say that) I am myself a Rajput. I was born in the same society. I have grown up on the same tales of Rajput valour and the same glorious Rajput history,” he said on Thursday.

“Rajputs have been known for protecting the people. People feel secure among them but I am scared that stories of their valour are being defamed by violence happening in the name of Rajputs.”

Mr Sisodia, who holds the portfolio of Education, said that he was receiving messages from parents and teachers about the school bus attack in Haryana’s Gurugram.

“They are scared about sending their children to school after what happened yesterday.

It was a criminal act. I invited many Rajput leaders to talk on recent developments of violence. We are totally against these acts.

“Hence, we would now go and watch the film to see what the reality is... to see what is objectionable in it and then brief people about it,” he said.

Rajput leaders have been protesting against the release of the Bollywood film “Padmaavat” which they claim distorts history.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also spoke about the violence during the protests. He called the incident a “matter of shame for entire nation”. Stressing that fringes have no religion or caste, Mr Kejriwal said: “These elements are now after our children because of our silence.