What is Karni Sena? Understanding Its Origins and Influence

The Karni Sena, officially called Shri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS), was founded in 2006 by Lokendra Singh Kalvi.

[{"selector":"#anim-a73be543-c135-423e-aa06-c6cb3a4df56b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-91f62c92-f0bb-4fe8-8687-0b975b88bde7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-649760fe-be2b-49d1-8ff4-ff644fa28fcc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-422f6304-c3ec-4592-b7fc-cef57b66b0cf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0474275098327464%, -8.248492402622654%) scale(1.4273504273504274)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

It was established to protect the pride and honor of the Rajput community and ensure the preservation of Rajput heritage and values.

[{"selector":"#anim-230dce9e-f413-49fb-b1da-64badf8e05da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-69497f96-cfd0-4905-b6e9-456a6740a894","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5123b25d-5476-428c-82da-3eba0b645b61","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2622de2f-2ce4-498e-901a-d4976c9e3a32 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The group gained widespread attention during the 2017 protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat.

[{"selector":"#anim-650eb616-4574-46e7-b033-1c92f1c48f2d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64425760-e0fc-4158-ba95-cc626063758a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2f1dff8-7f64-454f-82bd-4359d1be8089","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b29835de-cc64-4908-a39d-561ea4dd5d4a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Karni Sena claimed that Padmaavat misrepresented Rajput history, particularly the portrayal of Queen Padmavati, leading to widespread demonstrations and violent acts.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae9360b0-f599-4ba1-b8a2-bb9abcba605d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ce78c4e-0c7f-4ef3-9a49-ec0519ce33f2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7f51780-2062-4934-a5ea-7256ae959467","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a25cfe9f-f070-4908-a76c-e36065b36787 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Beyond film protests, the Karni Sena is also involved in social and political activism, focusing on issues related to Rajput representation and rights.

[{"selector":"#anim-fa2f60ba-0cef-4022-8291-d357f23a3875","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f172db4f-4323-464f-b8a7-1a1cb88027ab","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d7f5299-c31e-47d1-acb1-3995c16afe16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1b2f509-98ce-4add-b145-65e316f26a4d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The group often opposes media or public representations that they believe harm the image of Rajput heritage and pride.

[{"selector":"#anim-35aa667b-dc57-4732-b13d-e07917e5cc67","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd287083-6347-4ad1-9ff9-0f325c4dabc5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-056ec00b-7155-4fb6-8416-1465a9a99c9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da1b7c07-dd37-4a5c-8d0e-e68792964cf1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The Karni Sena has been criticized for its extreme methods, including threats and violent protests.

[{"selector":"#anim-9246dab2-1c61-4db6-bf7c-8bd0772b5826","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-186fb8de-26e6-4de1-85cc-be8b32707148","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0114a892-b05d-43de-b0e6-14bed90a8a8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7d40ad2-256b-4888-8893-c756b9e06d68 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Over the years, the Karni Sena has gained political attention, influencing state and regional politics, particularly in Rajasthan and neighboring areas.

[{"selector":"#anim-9264677c-d90b-4571-8c6d-5e374bffd265","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af261552-91c7-406e-9353-75c7c4f27c13","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.58315%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29494030-98c5-4cb7-96bd-d4f3a500cba7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a8dc2c4-12fe-4fd4-82d7-4f52bd48865b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

What We Know So Far About Baba Siddique’s Mysterious Death