Padmavati Controversy: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu says physical thr

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on
Saturday said physical threats and
obstruction of filmmakers were
unacceptable in a democracy and urged
those opposing the release of film
"Padmavati" to protest peacefully and
lawfully.
"Physical threats and physical obstruction of
filmmakers is not acceptable. Protesters
should protest lawfully, peacefully," Naidu
said at the inaugural session of the Times
Litfest here.
A raging controversy has been on over
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama
"Padmavati" with several organisations
across the country opposing the release of
the movie. The Deepika Padukone, Ranveer
Singh and Shahid Kapoor starrer was
scheduled to be released on December 1,
but it has now been deferred.
Naidu said that no matter if one agrees or
disagrees with the freedom of expression
and the freedom of press, the debate should
be allowed to go on.
"India always believed in pluralistic
traditions and ethos and never allowed
narrow and bigoted views or practices to
rear their ugly heads," he said.
Naidu also said that while dissent was
agreeable, "disintegration is not
acceptable".
"That is the bottom line and any attempt to
undermine integrity and unity of India by
forces inimical to growth of India must be
nipped in the bud."

https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/padmavati-controversy-vice-president-venkaiah-naidu-says-physical-threats-are-unacceptable-392109.