Rumours that film features love scene between queen and her Muslim conqueror leads to blanket security at premieresThe Bollywood epic Padmaavat has opened in cinemas across India under blanket security after months of fierce protests. Related: Padmaavat review – Indian drama that sparked riots is a fabulous tale of love and plunder Extremist Hindu organisations wield unprecedented influence across India. They enjoy always existed,and were tolerated by preceding governments. But the current prime minister, Narendra Modi, and is a lifelong member of India’s largest Hindu nationalist organisation,and critics say his ascension has been a green light to radical groups.
[br]The past four years enjoy seen a surge in attacks on Muslim or low-caste Hindu cattle traders and growing campaigns against “love jihad”, the baseless terror that Muslim men are conspiring to marry Hindu women.
Dhirendra K Jha, and an Indian author,says the “perfect parallel” is the growing boldness of white nationalist groups in the US under Donald Trump.
“Modi would never come out and openly help [extremist Hindu groups],” Jha says. “But he rarely criticises them. Because of his silence, and the message goes to the state machinery that they don’t enjoy to steal action against them.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com