Zero Trailer: Plea Filed In Bombay HC Accusing Shahrukh Khan, Gauri Khan Etc Of Hurting Sikh Community’s Sentiments

A petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court accusing actor Shahrukh Khan and others involved with the movie of "hurting religious sentiments" of the Sikh community through the trailer of the upcoming movie ‘Zero’.

In addition to Shahrukh Khan, the petition by Advocate Amritpal Singh Khalsa has been filed against the producers of the movie—Gauri Khan and Karuna Badwal, director of the movie—Aanand L Rai, Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt Ltd., YouTube Space Mumbai, Twitter, Google, and the Chairperson and CEO of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The petition refers to the trailer of the movie, wherein Shahrukh Khan is seen wearing undergarments, with a garland of Rs. 500 notes around his neck and a Kirpan in Gatra tied around his neck and shoulder.

The petition then throws light on the historical and cultural importance of Kirpan, referring to a couple of books on the subject, and takes exception to the actor wearing Kirpan without following any “Rehat Maryada”.

Asserting that Kirpan is ripped off its historical and cultural significance and has been reduced to an “item of show piece” by the movie makers, the petition submits, “The Petitioner submits that there for any one to wear and carry kirpan it is mandatory that one should follow Sikh Rehat and Maryada, and that there is no ban for any person from any caste/creed/religion to partake Holy Amrit(Nectar), he/she is enjoined to keep Five Articles of faith always, in the instant case Respondent No.1 has not followed any Rehat Marayada, and that there is no ban on Respondent No.1 to get baptized into Sikhism, for him to wear and carry Kirpan it is mandatory to Follow Sikh Rehat Maryada, wearing Kirapn reflecting as item of Show/fashion has caused deep scars to the religious sentiments of the petitioner.”

It therefore demands that the respondents be convicted under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which punishes “deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”. It further raises the following questions:

• “ Can an article of faith having utmost importance in a particular religious belief be gimmicked for public amusement?


• Can there be publicity and amusement at the cost of Fundamental Rights of citizen


• During British reign thousands of Sikh who were sent to jail for bearing kirpan, Sikhs have long history in honouring and protecting the Five Articles of faith can such an important of article faith be gimmicked for public entertainment and amusement?


• Can any person be permitted to follow ones Religious belief without following the ceremonial procedure? Will it not amount to sacrilege of the religious beliefs? and in the instant case violation of Fundamental rights? (sic)”

The petition thereafter puts forth the following demands:

1. Direction to the CBFC to not issue any certification for the movie, as it is “blasphemous in nature, hurting the religious sentiments of petitioner so too Sikh people at large”.


2. Direction to the CBFC to revoke any certification already issued.


3. Direction to the film’s producers and directors to remove the allegedly blasphemous parts from the movie.


4. Direction to the CBFC to delete the parts in the movie wherein Shahrukh Khan is seen wearing or carrying Kirpan.


5. Pending issuance of CBFC certification, constitution of a committee to view the film and present its suggestions before the court.


6. Interim injunction against uploading of any other trailer, picture or video of the movie, pending disposal of the petition.