from Joseph Dias, general secretary, CSF

Mumbai, May 3: Through a memorandum, the Catholic Secular Forum, a watchdog body, has sought all decision-makers to ensure a ban on two movies, Da Vinci Code and Tickle My Funny Bone, in India.

Both of them are derogatory to the Christian community (particularly the clergy) and the faith. While enough of outcry has been raised internationally for the first, the second one is an Indian one and hence comes in for a bigger local protest for the following reasons, says the statement.

The memorandum lists the grounds for the demand as follows:

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1) The advertisements in the Bombay Times-Times of India (Pg 10, dated April 26, 2006), DNA (Pg 38, dated April 28) and in Mumbai Newline-Indian Express (Pg 6, dated April 27) show a vulgarly dressed nun (sister) with the church in the background. The caption is "Story of a Bold, Sexy and Naughty Nun" and in one of the stills her bra and breasts are partly seen, while in the other, her thighs are shown, as she holds down the nun's gown. Her veil is flying off and she is caught up with her lover, against the backdrop of the Cross in the church compound. The Rosary - Religious prayer beads is seen clasped in her hands in both indecent pictures.

2) One assumes these advertisements will find place on huge hoardings, with outdoor publicity being given to the agency, Bright Creations, as per mention in it. The advertisement does not carry any certification (A / UA) from the CBFC and we are given to understand that the visuals depicted are not from the film. Would such a film be allowed if a Maulana, Pandit or other religious clergy was shown in bad light ? Why then are Christians made soft-targets ?

3) The Censor Board has failed miserably in passing a film that violates the letter and spirit of The Cinematograph Act, its rules and guidelines. Section 5B of the Act says that ' a film shall not be certified for public exhibition, if  the film or any part of it is against .. public order, decency or morality or .. is likely to incite the commission of any offence. Are Christians to be rioting, since their religious sentiments are hurt, for the CBFC or the government to act.

4) According to Rule 38 of Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983 any person advertising a film by means of insertion in newspapers, hoarding, posters, handbills or trailers shall indicate the category of certification. Non-compliance of this rule is a cognizable and non-bailable offence under section 7 of Cinematograph Act 1952. This has happened in the case of the movie Tickle My Funny Bone, easily proved in the above newspaper advertisements.

5) The CBFC HQ in Mumbai is not prepared to provide proper information, as to who were those responsible for passing the film, the procedure followed, the members present during screening, list of CBFC members, cuts imposed, etc. It is a necessary procedure, when a film pertaining a particular community is to be certified, representatives of that religion must be on the screening committee. The CBFC needs to be revamped and made more representative.

6) As per CBFC, a film is to be judged from the point of view of its overall impact and is examined in the light of the contemporary standards of the country and the people to whom the film relates, provided that the film does not deprave the morality of the audience. These films fail on all these counts and need to be banned, particularly in the context of religion being a sensitive issue in India. No film derogatory to any religion should be allowed in national interests, as it could fan communal flames and damage the secular fabric of India.

7) Some of the CBFC Objectives of film certification are that (a) the medium of film remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of society; (b) the medium of film provides clean and healthy entertainment; and (c) as far as possible, the film is of aesthetic value and cinematically of a good standard. How can such films be sensitive to the Indian culture and ethos, which is one of tolerance and mutual respect? Further, apart from being clean or entertainment, these are sadistic and sleazy C grade films allowed by the CBFC.

8) The Detailed CBFC Guidelines require that (A) the modus operandi of criminals, other visuals or words likely to incite the commission of any offence are not depicted (B) human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or depravity; (C) scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented; (D) scenes showing sexual perversions shall be avoided (E) visuals or words which are communal or contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented (F) visuals or words involving defamation of an individual or a body of individuals are not presented (G) public order is not endangered (H) friendly relations with foreign states are not strained...

9) Enforcement for offences, such as display of obscene posters, under Section 292 of IPC comes within the purview of the State Governments & their law enforcing agencies including the police. The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 is again enforcement by the local authorities. Hence, we expect the state government & police to act in the instance of these films too. To give just one example, the J&K state government banned the SINS movie on our appeal.

In case of the above two films, there are many ramifications, as India is known to be secular, particularly in view of the fact that there is now a Ministry of Minority Affairs. Internationally too, we have friendly relations with many Christian and other countries who value freedom of religion, guaranteed by the UN Charter. India itself has a number of union and state ministries, such as I & B, HRD, Home, Information, Social Empowerment, Human Rights, etc. which get drawn into such a campaign for justice and non-discrimination by the state.

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The CSF, therefore, appeals to everyone to take serious note of these attacks on the peace-loving and selfless serving Christian community, who are being mocked at, in the name of freedom, without responsibility. It is at moments such as these, the Forum looks up to the government, institutions and fellow-citizens to stand by it.