Delhi High Court refuses to expedite hearing of petition related to ‘Adipurush’

New Delhi (IANS) | The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined urgent hearing of a plea moved by a right-wing group seeking direction to delete or modify alleged objectionable scenes from ‘Adipurush’. The Om Raut-directed film released nationwide on June 16 and the petition, filed as a public interest litigation, claims that the film’s characters differ from the portrayal of these religious figures in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The counsel for the petitioner, Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, sought listing of the petition on Wednesday or Friday, which was initially listed for June 30.

The lawyer said, I am seeking the petition to be listed today or Friday, as there are many controversial scenes in the film.

The lawyer further argued, when the teaser of the film was released, there was an uproar. The director promised to remove some parts, but it was not removed. Similarly when the trailer of the film released it happened again, he promised again. Presently it is also affecting international relations. Even Nepal has banned the film.

However, a vacation bench of Justices Tara Vitasta Ganju and Amit Mahajan refused to list the matter urgently.

Justice Ganju orally remarked, You are already well aware of the release of the film. What’s stopping you if it’s already released?

The PIL also challenges the certification granted to the film under the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and has named the director, producer and official parties as respondents.

The petitioner states that the film hurts the sentiments of the Hindu community by portraying religious characters in a wrong and unwarranted manner which is against the narratives of the works of authors like Maharishi Valmiki and Tulsidas.

The petition argues that the film’s portrayal of characters like Ravana (played by Saif Ali Khan) and Lord Hanuman is completely alien to Indian civilization.

The petition alleged, the bearded look of the character of Ravana, played by Saif Ali Khan in the film, is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community as the Hindu Brahmin Ravana has been wrongly shown as a terrifying face which represents Hindu civilisation, There is gross disrespect to Hindu religious figures, idols, idols, etc.

The petition also claims that the wrong portrayal of Hindu religious characters in Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’ has drawn criticism and outrage from across the country, including the actors portraying these characters.

The petition claimed, the appearances including hair style, beard, mustache and attire are well defined as per the image created in those epics. Any change in these images by filmmakers and directors and actors will certainly hurt the sentiments of worshippers, devotees and those of religious faith.

The film stars Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles of Lord Ram, Sita and Ravana respectively.

–IANS