At least 16 people have been arrested from Ahmedabad after a mob went on a rampage outside Himalaya Mall in the city to protest against the release of ‘Padmaavat’. Violence and arson hit Ahmedabad on Tuesday night shortly after a candle march by Karni Sena activists against the January 25 release of controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat. More than 150 four-wheelers and two-wheelers were damaged as mobs went on the rampage after 8pm, targeting three malls with multiplexes and a standalone theatre complex in the western part of the city.

Three city malls Acropolis, Ahmedabad One, Himalaya Mall and Cinemex, the standalone theatre complex, came under attack despite theatre owners in the city declaring they would not screen Padmaavat. State media in charge of Karni Sena Rajpratap Singh says “police are trying their best to curb our protest. We are not being allowed to take out a rally or stage a protest. There is ‘nakabandi’ all around and strict police arrangements have been made in this town.” Police raided the residences of Karni Sena Chittorgarh unit president Govind Singh Khangarot and vice-president Kamlendu Singh Solanki at 11 pm on Tuesday and arrested them. Devendra Singh, one of the main members of the organisation, was also arrested. Police arrested the Chittorgarh unit chief of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, after its spokesperson declared that over 1,900 women of the community are “ready” to commit “jauhar” or mass immolation as part of protests.