Hyderabad, Jan 22:
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and CPI leader Syed Azeez Pasha have condemned the arrest of three persons in Hyderabad for screening documentary ‘Ram ke Naam’.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Sainikpuri area when a group of people were screening a documentary made by Anand Patwardhan at a restaurant.
The documentary is about the events surrounding the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on 6 December, 1992 and the screening was organised on the eve of inauguration of Ram temple.
Police registered a complaint by one Ruthvik, who alleged that the screening and the discussion by a few people watching the documentary hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
The complainant was said to be one of those invited to watch the documentary, which was screened by a group ‘Hyderabad Cinephiles’.
Police reached the place and stopped the screening. A case was registered at Neredmet Police Station against the activists under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 290 (public nuisance) and 295A (Outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) read with 34.
Police said the screening was organised without permission and took up investigation.
The Hyderabad MP asked Rachakonda Police Commissioner to explain why screening of the documentary Ram ke Naam was stopped midway and three people were arrested. “How is screening an award-winning documentary a crime? If it is, the Government of India & Filmfare should also be jailed for awarding the movie. Please let us know if we need a pre-screening certificate from the police before watching a movie,” asked Owaisi.
CPI national secretary Azeez Pasha also condemned the arrests. The CPI leader said on receiving information from Prof Ram Puniyani about the arrest of three persons, he spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned and demanded that the case be dropped unconditionally.
Aziz Pasha said he sent a letter to the Rachakonda Police Commissioner, seeking action against SHO Neredmet.
He further stated just because the film has certain cryptic remarks against VHP, it could not become the basis of registering a case against the three, including two girls. The CPI leader said the secular people having faith in a secular, socialist and democratic constitution, are bound to criticise VHP for dividing the country on religious lines.
Aziz Pasha warned that if the case is not withdrawn unconditionally, CPI will protest against the unwarranted arrests of the innocents.