India’s chief censor quits in film row
Print Edition
INDIA’S chief film censor has quit, accusing the government yesterday of interfering with her decisions after a movie starring a controversial guru was reportedly cleared for release.
Leela Samson claimed the Hindu nationalist government was meddling in the Central Board of Film Certification’s decisions, while also accusing her colleagues of “coercion and corruption.”
Samson said that the handling of the outlandish film “MSG: The Messenger of God” starring popular guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim — who is facing conspiracy to murder and other charges — had been “the last straw.”
Amid fears the film — which shows Rahim performing miracles, preaching to thousands and beating up gangsters while singing and dancing — could spark protests and religious tension, the board rejected it.
The film was then referred to an appeals tribunal which cleared its release.
“The reasons cited (for quitting) are interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organization who are appointed by the (information and broadcasting) ministry,” Samson said in a statement e-mailed to AFP.
Junior information and broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore denied any interference, saying the final call over a film lies with the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal.
“The government is absolutely hands-away from all decisions of the censor board. They are an independent body and they need to behave like one,” he said.
India’s film censors have a long history of barring movies.
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