Adipurush Row — Plea In Allahabad High Court For Quashing CBFC Certificate

With the continuing backlash against Adipurush movie, an amendment application has been filed in the Allahabad High Court in the pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the exhibition of Adipurush movie. 

It has been contended in the plea that the obnoxious story of the movie is against decency, morality and prestige of God and Goddesses that has hurt the sentiments the followers of Sanatan Dharma. 

The plea stated that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) failed to discharge its statutory duties as totally false narratives have been shown in the movie, and therefore the certificate granted by the Board is required to be quashed.

It states that the certificate was granted in violation of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, as a committee comprising of five members examined the film and none of them had the expertise as scholars of Valmikiya Ramayan, which is in clear violation of Rule 41(4)(C) of the Rules 1983.

The unlawful and reckless approach of the committee disregards Valmiki Ramayan, thereby tarnishing the rich culture and heritage of our country. 

The plea also states that Ram and Sita consistently wore ochre clothes and lived a simple live, however the film portrays romantic scenes that are entirely false and misleading and contradicts the truth of their ascetic lifestyle during exile. 

Regarding the portrayal of Ravana in the movie, the plea states that as per the descriptions of Valmiki Ramayan, Kamb Ramayan, Krittivas Ramayan, Rangnath Ramayan, and Ram Charit Manas, Ravana was a Brahmin, a great scholar and a devotee of Lord Shiva.

However, in the movie portrayal of Lankesh created doubts as it depicts him in an ‘awfully, cheap and appalling manner, presenting him as filthy, ugly, horrible and illiterate’.

More importantly, the plea strongly contends that the filmmakers of Adipurush have intentionally and maliciously lowered the dignity of and prestige of God and Goddesses, thereby insulted the religious feelings of the followers of Sanatan Dharam, and such action is punishable under Sections 294, 295 and 295A of the Indian Penal Code.

The aforesaid provisions make unlawful malicious and intended acts to outrage religious feelings of any class and envisage a maximum punishment of three years.