Bajrang Dal activists burn poster of College Girl. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Aug. 24: Tension ran high as activists of the Bajrang Dal staged a demonstration against the screening of a movie at a theatre here today.

The activists alleged that a Hindi film College Girl with pornographic content was being screened at Samrat theatre near Madhupatna. They broke through the main gate of the theatre, and later, set the film posters on fire.

However, when the activists stormed into the theatre, it was screening an Odia movie, Daha Balunga.

“We had come to watch the Odia movie, and the show was about to end at 5:30pm. But suddenly, around 20 slogan-shouting youths entered the theatre. We panicked and rushed out of the hall,” said Abhijit Roy, who was in the theatre.

Over 70 people were inside the theatre watching the Odia film at the time of the incident. “Such protest is totally unjustified as an Odia movie was being screened, when the matinee show was stopped following the agitation,” said Kedar Das, another member of the audience.

“At a time when there is so much of concern over incidents of rape and sexual abuse, such movies are having an adverse impact on the minds of youngsters,” said Subrat Lenka, a Bajrang Dal activist, insisting that an objectionable movie was being screened at the theatre. He alleged that the theatre did not even mention whether the film was an adult movie or meant for people of all age groups.

“We will continue to protest against screening of pornographic films in various theatres across the city,” said Subhankar Sahu, another activist of the saffron brigade. Sources said the film, College Girl, that the activists were objecting to, was running at the theatre in the morning show.

Though the theatre employees refused to comment on the ransacking, one of them said they had stopped screening of the B-grade Hindi movie and removed its posters as well.

The activists have also demanded a ban on screening of pornographic films in theatres across the city.

“We are yet to receive any complaint regarding ransacking of the theatre. But an Odia film was being screened when the incident occurred,” said Madhupatna inspector in-charge Suresh Dash.