Agra protests erupt over Swara Bhasker’s comments on ‘Padmaavat’

Protests erupted in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, following controversial remarks made by actress Swara Bhasker regarding the depiction of the ‘Jauhar’ scene in the film ‘Padmaavat’. Members of the Hindu organization ‘Yogi Youth Brigade’ demonstrated against the actress, burning and trampling her posters to protest what they termed an insult to Queen Padmavati and the sacrifice of Rajput women.

During the demonstration, Kunwar Ajay Tomar, the state president of the Yogi Youth Brigade, reportedly used offensive language and announced a reward of 1.51 lakh rupees for anyone who would cut out the actress’s tongue.

The controversy stems from Bhasker’s comments at an event in Delhi, where she questioned the cinematic portrayal of Jauhar. She argued that presenting such historical events as a matter of ‘honor’ could send a harmful message to modern women and survivors of sexual violence. Bhasker later issued a clarification via video, stating her comments were misunderstood and that she did not call Queen Padmavati a coward, but rather questioned the message conveyed by the film's depiction.