Why Did Chaos Erupt at Patna Mall During Rahul Gandhi's Screening of 'Phule'?
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Synopsis
A protest erupted at Patna's City Centre Mall on May 15, when ticket holders were denied entry to a screening of 'Phule' attended by Rahul Gandhi. This led to uproar among supporters, raising questions about event management and access.
Key Takeaways
- Protest erupted at Patna mall during Rahul Gandhi's screening.
- Hundreds of ticket holders were denied entry, causing chaos.
- Only select invitees were allowed inside the theatre.
- Attendees expressed outrage and confusion.
- Event management faced significant scrutiny.
Patna, May 15 (NationPress) A protest erupted at the City Centre Mall in Patna on Thursday when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended a special screening of the biopic “Phule”. This event led to chaos as numerous ticket holders were denied entry.
The screening, hosted at INOX Cinema within the Lodipur mall, was designed as a public event with 400 pre-booked tickets and passes allocated to supporters and invitees.
However, tensions escalated as several attendees with valid tickets and passes found themselves blocked from entering the theatre by police and security personnel.
Rahul Gandhi, who arrived in Patna after addressing the Shiksha Nyay Samvad in Darbhanga earlier on the same day, reached the mall around 2 p.m. The screening was slated from 2:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. and saw attendance from various Congress leaders and social activists.
Outside the theatre, unrest brewed as supporters—including members of the Dalit community—were turned away, despite arriving with bouquets and banners.
Angry and confused, they shouted slogans like “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad”, “Police ki dadagiri nahi chalegi”, and “Prashasan murdabad”, alleging the administration's heavy-handedness.
“We arrived with valid tickets and passes, yet the police are treating us like uninvited guests. This is profoundly humiliating,” shared Dharmendra Kumar, one attendee who was denied entry.
Eyewitnesses claimed that only senior Congress leaders and select invitees were granted access, while ordinary supporters were obstructed at the entrance.
Minor scuffles reportedly broke out between attendees and police, leading to an increased security presence on the mall premises.
Some protesters challenged the organizers' decision to issue tickets if entry was not going to be honored. “If they intended to limit access, why distribute tickets at all? We demand a refund,” voiced a visibly upset attendee.
Meanwhile, the screening proceeded unimpeded inside the theatre, with Rahul Gandhi watching the film alongside Congress leaders and close associates.
Point of View
I observe that the incident at the Patna mall highlights significant concerns regarding event management and public access. The discontent among ticket holders reflects a larger issue of transparency and respect for supporters in political events. It is imperative for organizers to ensure that all attendees are treated fairly to avoid such chaotic scenarios in the future.
NationPress
01/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the protest at City Centre Mall?
The protest was triggered when several ticket holders were denied entry to a screening of 'Phule' attended by Rahul Gandhi, leading to unrest among supporters.
How many tickets were pre-booked for the screening?
There were 400 pre-booked tickets made available for the screening.
Who was allowed inside the theatre?
Only senior Congress leaders and select invitees were permitted entry, while many ordinary supporters were turned away.
What were some slogans raised during the protest?
Protesters raised slogans such as 'Rahul Gandhi Zindabad' and 'Police ki dadagiri nahi chalegi'.
What was the reaction of attendees who were denied entry?
Attendees expressed feelings of humiliation and confusion, questioning the event organizers' decision to issue tickets if they were not honored.
