22 nd January, 2009
To,
The Sr. Inspector of Police,
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Sub: Complaint against Christian Colson (Producer), Simon Beaufoy & Vikas Swarup (Writer), Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandan (co- director) of the film “Slumdog Millionaire”.
Sir,
We, the undersigned have to address our Complaint to you as under:
1. That a film “Slumdog Millionaire” is scheduled to be released all over India on 23/1/2009.
2. That there is a scene in the said movie wherein the character “Jamaal” is asked a question by an other character in the movie performed by the actor “Anil Kapoor”. The question asked is, “In depictions of God Rama, he is famously holding what in his right hand?”
3. That it is shown in the movie that the character “Jamaal” goes into a flashback and remembers an incident, described as follows:
“The said incident depicts that “Jamaal” as a child is playing in a water tank and his mother is washing clothes nearby. Suddenly a Hindu mob attacks that area. That area is shown as an area where Muslims reside. The Hindu mob attacks the Muslims. There is a dialogue in the film stating, “The Hindus are coming”. The scene thereafter depicts in detail the acts of violence committed by the Hindus against the Muslims. Young “Jamaal” is running helter-skelter. All of a sudden “Jamaal” and his friend face a small boy who is dressed up as Lord Rama. Seeing him “Jamaal” and his friend sense fear that they will be killed by this “Rama” and they run away.
4. That the said scene is hurting and insulting to Hindu religious sentiments. That the said scene is portraying the Hindus and the Hindu Religion in a bad light and is defaming the Hindus amongst the world audience and their Lord Rama as killer of Muslims.
5. That the said scene by recollecting the one side of the riots is instigating tensions between the two communities and by intentionally making the people remember those black days, wherein both Hindus and Muslims were killed, is further straining the fragile relations which exist between the communities.
6. The questions that rise in our Hindu minds are:
a. Why is a scene of Hindu – Muslim riots selected?
b. Why is a Hindu mob shown as attacking the Muslim community?
c. Can, in normal circumstances, a young child dressed as Rama stand still in the mayhem as is shown in the film?
d. Can a young child dressed as Rama be, in reality, able to roam around, in a Muslim community?
e. Are such children dressed in such get-ups seen begging for alms in a slum as is shown in film?
f. Was it really necessary to show the character “Jamaal” remembering and recalling such a one sided riot scene when that particular question is asked to him? What did the writers, directors, producers intend to convey by casting such a scene? That it is our allegation that by showing such scenes, to hurt the feelings of the communities, create tension, and gaining publicity to sell their product for a premium without regard to any ethical values.
7. That Lord Rama is depicted as if he is the destroyer of Muslims. That the Hindu God Rama is being insulted by such a depiction.
8. That, in view of the above your good-office is requested to take immediate action against the offenders, as per the provisions of law. That your good-office is further requested, in view of the above to take specific action to ban the screening of the film in your jurisdiction.
Yours truly,
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti
B/12, Bhagirathi Jagannath Apartment,
Samantwadi, Uthalsar,
Thane – 401601.