The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Dasavatharam case: orders on May 29

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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Dasavatharam case: orders on May 29

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court will pass orders on May 29 on a petition, seeking a direction to the film certification authorities to remove scenes which offended Hindus in “Dasavatharam” while issuing the censorship certificate.

A Division Bench comprising Justices K.Venkataraman and M. Sathyanarayanan posted the matter for orders after hearing arguments.

In the writ petition, the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society, with its head office at Mayiladuthurai and represented by its president, Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, said the film title “Dasavatharam” lured the Hindus. However, there were offensive scenes such as a clash between Saivites and Vaishnavites which formed the theme of the story.

The organisation said its grievance was restricted to the role played by the actor, Kamal Haasan, as Sri Ramanujar and connected scenes of violence. The title was a ruse to criticise Hinduism.

The Kalyana Suba Samithi, Villivakkam, represented by its president Santha Chidambaram, has moved the High Court seeking a writ to forbear the screening of the film. It sought a direction to the State government to take adequate measures for protecting the life and safety of the general public.

Direction sought

The organisation sought a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification to withdraw the certificate granted for the film.

The organisation submitted that the film could trigger violence, social unrest and even riots. It would wound the feelings of the people in general and Hindus in particular.

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