HINDI FILM “KYA SUPER COOL HAIN HUM” HURTS RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS OF
CHRISTIANS
Mr Shantaram Naik M P has taken strong objection to certain scenes in hindi
movie Kya Super Cool Hain Hum in which a Christian priest is shown in bad
light solemnizing marriage of two dogs.
Mr Naik mentioned the matter to Mrs Ambika Soni, Union Minister of
Information and broadcasting, although, Mr Naik told the minister that he
was aware of the fact that the Central Government has no power to review the
decision of the Censor Board and hence he was writing to Central Board of
Film Certification.
In a letter sent to the Chairperson of the Board, Mrs Leela Samson with a
copy to CEO Smt Pankaja Thakur, Mr Naik stated "A Hindi feature film
entitled "Kya super cool hain hum" has been released throughout the country
a few weeks back. The film, which is basically a comedy film, is reportedly
running to packed Houses in the country."
In one of the scenes in the film, a Christian priest has been shown in bad
light and is shown solemnising 'marriage' of two dogs, Mr Naik says.
Mr Naik further states ,"this scene has hurt the religious sentiments of
Christian community which hails a priest in high esteem, and that, a priest
is not only bestowed with serious religious duties, but is supposed to be
guide and philosopher to many members of the community."
Comedy certainly is a part of all every society but, while presenting
comedies in any art form, no one's religious sentiments can be hurt.
Freedom of expression does not give license to a film producer or director
play with the sentiments of others, much less with religious sentiments, he
says.
The film contains a number of double-meaning filthy dialogues. I have no
objection to them if they have been considered as permissible by the Censor
Board. But, in a movie with this type of background, showing a Christian
priest solemnising 'marriage' of two dogs, is all the more objectionable,
Mr Naik says in his letter.
Formerly, the Union Government exercised powers to review decisions of Film
Censor Board but , it is learnt that the provision which provided this power
to the Central Government has been taken away by a decision of Supreme
Court, Mr Naik says.
In any case, Producers, Directors and others in charge of film production
and distribution are liable to be hauled up under sections 295A and 298
which are the two main provisions dealing with offences relating to
religions, mentioned in the Indian Penal Code, Mr Naik says.
Therefore, although the power of Union Government of reviewing the decision
of Film Censure Board is not available with the Central Government, Central
Board of Film Certification can review their decisions on grounds that the
board could not assess the impact of disputed / controversial scenes on the
society till after the film was released or any other grounds available to a
quasi- judicial authority, and also, on grounds that certain scenes in the
film violate the sections of the Indian Penal Code mentioned above, he
says.
Besides, it must be remembered that section 295A is a cognizable offence,
and therefore, it is the duty of police machinery to act and arrest the
culprits.
Arresting culprits does not come within the jurisdiction of board, but
exhibition of a film which involves such serious consequences , should not
be allowed to be exhibited any longer by the board, Mr Naik adds.
Mr Naik was allowed to raise the issue in the Rajya Sabha, today, but on
account of the disruption of the House by the BJP on black money issue, Mr
Naik could not make his submission.
SHANTARAM NAIK, M.P.
shantaram...@gmail.com
