Vandals Break Mirrors at Padmini Palace in Chittorgarh Fort

Jaipur: The Padmini Palace in Chittorgarh Fort, a World Heritage Site in Rajasthan, was vandalised by a group of men who broke mirrors that were recently installed.

Rajput outfit Karni Sena has taken the responsibility of this incident. In January, they protested against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Padmavati and had asked Chittorgarh Fort authorities to remove the mirror work from the palace a few days back.

The vandalised mirrors were shown by tour guides as the ones in which Alauddin Khilji saw Padmini's reflection in water by her palace below the chamber were installed.

"The mirrors were broke by unidentified persons last evening. An FIR was registered under relevant sections on the complaint of the Archaeological Survey of India against unidentified persons and the matter is under investigation," SP, Chittorgarh, Prasanna Kumar Khamesra said on Monday.

Rajput Karni Sena had recently attacked director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the sets of Padmavati at Jaipur's Jaigarh fort to oppose purported love sequences between Rani Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji.

According to the outfit, Queen Padmini had committed 'jauhar' (self immolation) along with thousands of other women when Alauddin Khilji attacked the Fort in 1303 AD.

They dispute a story based on the poem "Padmavat" by Malik Muhammmad Jayasi written in 1540 that Khilji had seen Padmini's face through a mirror.

Karni Sena patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi said they do not believe in the tale that Khilji had seen Padmavati's face through a mirror as mirrors were not available at that time.

"Not only Rajputs, but other communities also object to this view. Karni Sena had requested the fort authorities to remove the mirrors a few days ago.However, it is not confirmed whether those who broke the mirrors were members of the Sena or not. This will be know after police investigation," Kalvi said.

Karni Sena had alleged distortion of historical facts in Bhansali's film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapur and Ranveer Singh.

However, the production house had later clarified that there was nothing objectionable in the script of the movie following which the Karni Sena had withdrawn its protest.

The state government has also said that the film would not be allowed to release in the state until Rajput community leaders watch the film.

(With PTI Inputs)