By TCN News,
New Delhi: Several civil society members have condemned the ‘protest’ being held in Ayodhya over the recent screening of Anand Patwardhan’s famous documentary film ‘Ram ke Naam’ in a film festival there.
In the sixth edition of Awam Ka Cinema (People’s film festival) organized in Faizabad in December Patwardhan’s movie was screened marking the 20 years of Babari demolition.On the last day of the festival the student wing of BJP, the ABVP had opposed this screening.
The statement signed by several civil society members including (Retired) Justice Rajinder Sachar, S.R. Darapuri, (retd.) IPS, and Sandeep Pandey, among others said, “Opposition to this film is ridiculous as the film was made before the demolition of Babri mosque, 22 years ago.”
They added, “This film has been cleared by the Censor Board, has won national and Film fare awards in 1992 and in 1996 was shown over Doordarshan, the public service broadcaster.”
The film contains interviews of common residents of Ayodhya-Faizabad, both Hindus and Muslims, who have been living there in harmony since ages. The film also depicts an interview with the chief priest of Ram Janambhumi Mahant Lal Das who condemns the abuse of religion for political purposes and takes a stand in favour of communal harmony. He also raised questions over corruption in brick collection drive for building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Lal Das was murdered soon after the demolition of mosque.
The film also contains claim by a Mahant who placed the idol of deity Ram inside the temple in 1949, demolishing the myth that the idol had ‘appeared’ mystically playing with the sentiments of devout Hindus.
The statement further said, “The film exposes the communal politics and stands by the commitment of Indian Constitution to the value of secularism, the reason why the Court directed the Doordarshan to screen it. The film differentiates between the tolerant and inclusive Hindu religion and the narrow version being promoted by Hindtuva organizations for their political vested interest which spread communal venom in society. That is why the Hindutva organizations dislike this film.”
It advised the protesters that the organizations opposing the screening should either approach the court or the censor board.
Other Signatories to the statement released included Yugal Kishore Sharan Shashtri, Dr. Prem Singh, Omkar Singh, Girish Kumar Pandey, Uma Shankar Mishra. Organsiations like Socialist Party, National Alliance of People’s Movements, Ayodhya ki Awaz, and Lok Rajniti Manch also extended their support.
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