Devdutt Pattanaik enters Padmavati debate, calls its 'valorisation of woman burning herself for macho clan'

NEW DELHI: Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik on Friday started a debate on the controversial movie "Padmavati”, when he tweeted his objection to the story of queen

Padmani

and termed it a "glamorization and valorisation of the idea of woman voluntarily burning herself."


The Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, slated for December 1 release, has been at the centre of controversy for showing queen Padmani in a bad light.

Unsurprisingly, Pattanaik’s tweet came under the scrutiny of several Twitter users who objected to Pattanaik's point of view.


Not ready to surrender without a fight, the author started a marathon question and answer session; and started replying to the "trolls", one by one — in a planned, patient and meticulous manner.


When one user drew comparison with the attacks on the Yazidi women by the so-called Islamic State terrorists in Iraq, the author was ready with a rebuttal.


In a second tweet, the author reiterated that "women do not exist for male honour".


He stood firm when he tweeted his defence of the right to life of a rape victim.


He also called into question the historical knowledge of his critics.


After more than 20 hours of gruelling question and answer session on Twitter, the author thanked his critics and referred to them as "a source of entertainment."

And, declared his victory.