PIL Against Exhibition Of 'Adipurush' For 'Offending Sentiments' Of Hindus: Allahabad High Court Issues Notice To CBFC

The Allahabad High Court has issued a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed before it seeking an order restraining the board to grant a certificate for the exhibition of the Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon starrer movie 'Adipurush'. The movie is set to release in June 2023.

The bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Brij Raj Singh passes this order and posted the matter for further hearing on February 21.

The PIL plea moved by Social Activist Kuldeep Tiwari and another through advocates Ranjana Agnihotri and Sudha Sharma states that the movie cast aspersion on the characters of the great epic Ramayana and tarnishes the image of the cultural heritage of Ayodhya and Hindu religion in general.

The PIL plea further states that the trailer of the movie is clumsy and indecent, which has resulted in hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus.

"...the trailer of the film depicts characters of Ramayana as in very ugly form which is totally uncalled and projects the Gods of million in a very low manner...unfortunately Treta Yug and pious city Ayodhya has been shown by using very filthy and dirty picturization which is not the truth and the same is against the Hindu culture faith and belief...In substance, the trailer leaves no doubt that the film has been produced with a filthy motive for destroying the image of Hindu God and Goddess and also to damage the cultural heritage, and religious faith of the great city Ayodhya believed by millions of Hindus as the city of salvation," the PIL plea adds

The PIL plea further state that the trailer of the film was released without obtaining a certificate from the Board of film Certification in the exercise of the powers U/s 5A r/w Section 5B of The Cinematography Act,1952 and rule 38 of the cinematograph (certification ) rules, 1983.

Consequently, it prays that the Board may be restrained from granting a certificate to film Adipurush U/Sec.5A/5B of the Act as the story of the film as revealed from the trailer offends the Hindu religion religious sentiments of devotees of Ramayan and Lord Rama and cultural heritage of Ayodhya.

The Plea also prays that the State authorities should initiate suitable action against the offenders including the Producer, Director, and Actors of the said film "Adipurush", for having violated the various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Case title - Kuldeep Tiwari and another vs. Union of India and others [PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 728 of 2022]

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