Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Prasoon Joshi backs out of attending the Jaipur International Literature Festival (JLF) due to repeated threats from the Rajput Karni Sena with regards to the release of Padmaavat.
“Will not be attending JLF this year and must say will miss sharing great moments with literature and poetry lovers. I am doing this so that the dignity of the event does not get compromised or discomfort caused either to the organisers, fellow writers or the attendees. And also so that the lovers of literature get to focus on creativity and not controversy,” Joshi said in a statement released by the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Head of India’s powerful censor board cancels appearance at Jaipur Lit Fest, does not want to compromise “dignity”
of event after threats from Karni Sena. Prasoon Joshi statement here; #JLF2018 #PadmaavatRow pic.twitter.com/GzaftTORIC— Annie Gowen (@anniegowen) January 27, 2018
From their side, Karni Sena questioned Joshi’s decision to okay the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat. They have welcomed Joshi’s decision of giving the annual festival a miss.
The censor board chief also said in the statement that Padmaavat was certified following proper process. “I did my job and sincerely took a sensitive and balanced call. As I have said earlier, certification was done with due processes, incorporating valid suggestions whilst staying mindful to the concerns of the society as well as to the canvas of cinema,” he says in the statement.
Joshi was named to head a session titled “Main aur Woh: Conversations with Myself”.
