Panaji, May 19: Despite the clearance for the Da Vinci Code's
screening in India, the controversy over its showing in Goa still
continues. South Goa MP Churchill Alemao in a veiled threat
on Friday said "theatres and video parlours showing and selling the
movie would be taking a big risk".
"The people will not accept this film in Goa, and I am a man of the people", he told this newspaper, saying though that he had neither read the book nor watched the movie.
"The people will not accept this film in Goa, and I am a man of the people", he told this newspaper, saying though that he had neither read the book nor watched the movie.
Mr
Alemao --- who has been on a collision course with the present
Pratapsing Rane led government, embarrasing them at every turn --- said
the government should "think about the matter" at a joint CLP-congress
executive meeting slated for Friday evening.
Earlier this
week, the state cabinet had forwarded letters from a fringe Catholic
group and the Goa Archbishop to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
A group called the Catholic Association of Goa, which has been occasionally active in the past, wanted a ban on the film screening, claiming it would invite public protest in a state where Christians comprise just under a-third of the population.
A group called the Catholic Association of Goa, which has been occasionally active in the past, wanted a ban on the film screening, claiming it would invite public protest in a state where Christians comprise just under a-third of the population.
Lay
Christians are divided on the controversy --- many see it as an
unneceesary overreaction to a work of fiction, with no power at all to
undermine Christian faith. But statements coming from the official
church and Vatican and front pages in a section of local dailies, have
spurred on anti-Da Vinci Code hysteria.
"We call upon
pastors and lay leaders in our parishes to acquaint themselves as well
as the people under their care with the dangers and risks that can
result from the watching of the said movie and even to take such
initiatives that will lead out people to refrain from taking part in
such harmful and blasphemous entertainment," said a May 11 message from
Goa Archisbishop Filipe Nerie Ferrao to the community.
Echoing the sentiments of the Vatican, Archbishop Ferrao said the book and film were a diabolical
scheme to destabilise the foundations of the Christian faith. He did not however expressly seek any ban.
Panaji's
main INOX multiplex theatre though removed the film's promotionals from its venue
and is still watching the situation, after the delayed release was
announced.
After the Goa cabinet decision this week ---
interpreted as recommending a ban on Da Vinci Code --- BJP leader of
opposision Manohar Parrikar said the Congress was indulging in
"political appeasement of voters".
"Let the Da Vinci Code
be screened. It will not change a thing and definately not sway the
faithful. By protesting against it, we are exposing how weak we are
about our own faith. In the process we have succumbed ti right wing
hysteria and narrow-minded views, which we Goan Catholics are not",
wrote outspoken fashion designer Wendell Rodricks in a local
newspaper.
ENDS
-- ENDS
Pamelal D'Mello
9850 461649
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