Daijiworld News Network - Goa
Report and pics from Rajtilak Naik
Panaji, Jun 5: In protest against the screening of the movie 'Da Vinci Code' in the Inox multiplex in Goa, south Goa MP churchill alemao organized a public meeting in the Mary Immaculate Church hall in Panaji in association with the Goan Catholic Association.
As a result of the agitation, Inox had to withdraw the screening of the movie.
Deputy collector of Panaji Agnelo Fernandes is seen making a public announcement that Inox multiplex has withdrawn the screening of the said movie in Goa. Also seen in the background are South Goa MP Churchill Alemao (in black), Agnelo Fernandes (MLA - Calangute) and others.
Gathering at the public meeting.
Soon after the news of the withdrawal was flashed in the hall, people started celebrating by dancing and singing.
Sign on the ticket counter of the Inox multiplex stating that the screening of 'Da Vinci Code' was cancelled.
Churchill Alemao during the meeting, and a T-shirt with the message....."Jesus Christ, the same...yesterday, today and forever."
The idle ticket counter at the Inox multiplex in Goa.
Prayers during the meeting.
The police force deployed in the Inox multiplex in Panaji.
People outside the Inox multiplex in Panaji.
Earlier report from Sanjay Borkar in Margao:
Margao: South Goa member of Parliament Churchill Alemao, while criticizing the screening of the controversial movie "The Da Vinci Code' in the state by Inox Leisure Ltd through its multiplex in Panaji, said that on Sunday morning he would in full action to have the screening of the movie banned in Goa.
This film has invited the wrath from all over the world. Nobody has the right to fictionalize any religion god or goddess, and humiliate them by filming in bad manner. The movie is blasphemous. This movie has hurt the religious sentiments of people, for which it should be banned, said an irked Alemao at a press conference held in a city hotel.
"People believe that Jesus Christ is God. People love him. Not only Christian community but many other communities also revere him. Nobody has the right to criticize Jesus Christ, but this movie-maker tried to make money using my god's name, which I will never tolerate," he said further.
He also told reporters that state chief Minister Pratasingh Rane had not granted permission for the release of film. Still the film is being screened under police protection. "This is just hard to digest," said Alemao.
Regarding this, Daijiworld correspondent contacted DIG Ujwal Mishra to ask whether he had received any order from state government to ban the movie, he said that he had not received any order yet.
When Alemao was asked about his actions, he said that he would hold a meeting in the Church Hall in Panaji on Sunday morning and thereafter he would decide the next plans.
As large number of people would attend this meeting, he hinted that they would carry out a morcha towards Inox, which could turn violent as people are angry.
He also stressed that Inox would face the consequences of releasing the movie in the state against the wishes of the people.
Also read: