Mangaluru (The Hindu): Cinemas in Mangaluru, including three multiplexes and one single-screen, stopped the screening of Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer Dilwale since Sunday night, following protests by activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. The activists said they were protesting against the statements of Mr. Khan on “growing intolerance” in India.

Activists held simultaneous protests outside multiplexes in Mangaluru and a theatre in Surathkal. After the protest, they met operators of multiplexes and the theatre urging them to halt the screening of the movie. “We had to oblige,” a multiplex operator said.

No protection sought

Mangaluru city Police Commissioner S. Murugan said the cinemas have not sought any police protection. “It is a commercial venture and if they ask for protection, security would be offered for a fee,” he said. Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim was not available for comments.

VHP Dakshina Kannada president Jagadish Shenava told The Hindu that Indians cutting across caste, creed and religion, had made Mr. Khan a star. “People are aghast over his statement that there was growing intolerance in the country,” he said. “When he says there was growing intolerance in the country, this [stopping the screening] is our answer. The protest is not about Mr. Khan’s religion, but against his statement,” he said.

Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell said that they had “requested” cinemas not to screen the movie. Asked when the screening could resume, he said it wwas yet to be decided.

A couple of multiplex operators, who did not wish to be identified, said the activists staged protests on late Sunday evening, forcing them to cancel the remaining shows for the day. They did not screen the movie on Monday too.

Meanwhile, operators are in dialogue with VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders to broker peace. One operator said the outfits are likely to allow resumption of screening from Tuesday.

‘Collapse of administration’

Meanwhile, civil society groups are upset with what they see as apathy of the administration. State president of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Muneer Katipalla, said that the events indicate the collapse of law and order situation in the district and failure of the government in reigning-in right-wing outfits. All pro-people organisations like DYFI support Mr. Khan and would stage a counter-protest if screening is not resumed immediately, he warned.