CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Jaipur/Mumbai. Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker has once again landed in controversy. The Karni Sena has strongly objected to her recent remarks on the depiction of jauhar in the film Padmaavat. Keerti Rathore, president of the women’s wing of the Karni Sena in Rajasthan, described Swara’s statement as an insult to the sacrifice of Rajput heroines and challenged her, saying that if she had courage, she should also raise questions on practices such as halala.
What did Swara say on Padmaavat’s jauhar scene?
During an event in Delhi, Swara Bhasker reiterated her earlier objection to the jauhar sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat. She said she had found the portrayal of women committing jauhar in the film disturbing.
Swara said that even after a woman has faced sexual violence, she should have the right to live. She questioned what kind of message such a portrayal in the film sends to survivors of sexual violence.
Karni Sena raises strong objection
Keerti Rathore, president of the Karni Sena’s women’s wing, objected to Swara’s statement. She said Swara Bhasker did not have adequate knowledge of Rajput history and the historical circumstances of jauhar. According to her, such comments on the courage and sacrifice of women who performed jauhar would not be accepted.
The Karni Sena asked Swara that if she was commenting on historical and religious practices, she should also express her views on practices linked to other communities. In this context, the organisation raised the issue of halala.
Swara issues clarification
After the controversy escalated, Swara Bhasker released a video on social media clarifying her statement. She said her words had been mistranslated and misinterpreted. Swara clarified that she had never called Rani Padmavati or the women who performed jauhar “cowards”.
She said her objection was to the message conveyed by the jauhar scene in Padmaavat, especially on the question of how women’s lives and dignity are viewed after sexual violence.
Old controversy flares up again
Padmaavat was released in 2018, and during its making and release there had also been controversy over the depiction of jauhar. At that time too, Swara had written an open letter to the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, raising questions over the portrayal of jauhar.
Now, nearly eight years later, after her old views were brought up again, debate has intensified on social media. On one side, people are linking jauhar with courage and sacrifice in its historical context, while on the other, Swara’s argument is focused on its portrayal in the film and its message in today’s social context.
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