The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Centre to “consider the so-called offending material highlighted and take a suitable decision without fail” on a petition challenging the trailer of Ram Janmabhoomi , scheduled to be released on December 6.
The petition, filed by Azhar Tamboli, a social worker, said he is aggrieved by the poster and trailer of the film that hurts religious sentiments. The subject of the movie is “very sensitive and shows the polarisation of Hindus and Muslims, which started mainly after the Babri Masjid demolition,” it says. It also says the trailer, which was released on November 19, is highly provocative, promotes communal disharmony and violates Section 5B (principles for guidance in certifying films) of the Cinematograph Act. It will create communal disturbance as it shows a saffron flag on the Babri Masjid which reads, ‘Shri Ram’, and is contemptuous to Islam in the eyes of the law, the petition says.
The petition has been moved against the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf board, the chief writer, producer, screenwriter and director of the movie, the chairperson and chief executive officer of CBFC, the Maharashtra government and the Union.
Mr. Tamboli, represented by his advocates Hasnain and Raeed Kazi, is seeking to restrain the exhibition of the film in theatres and on television as it will create a law and order situation. He also points out that the matter related to Babri Masjid and Ram Bhoomi is subjudice. A division bench of Justices B.P. Dharmadhikari and S.V. Kotwal adjourned the matter to December 4.
