Bandh call taken back after state govt bans film

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 4

Following the Punjab Government's decision to ban Arshad Warsi’s Bollywood film “The Michael Mishra'” in the state, organisations relating to the Valmiki community took the Punjab bandh call back though some factions got a few shops closed in the morning. Members of the community were made to watch a special show screened for them at a mall in Jalandhar last night by the district administration. Although the objectionable scenes and dialogues were censored in the film, the community members urged the administration to ban the screening of the film in the state.

Addressing mediapersons here today, representatives of several organisations relating to the Valmiki community thanked the state government for their support.

In a press release issued by the Punjab Government, it is stated, “The Punjab Government has suspended the exhibition of the film namely ‘The Legend of Michael Mishra’ with immediate effect for two months and during such suspension, it shall be deemed to be an uncertified film in the state. The decision was taken keeping in view the prevailing strong resentment amongst the Valmiki community about some objectionable references to Maharishi Valmiki. This decision was aimed at keeping intact the hard earned peace and social harmony in the state as the screening of this film may invite massive protests.”

It is notable that the community members had threatened to launch a struggle against the derogatory language used while addressing Bhagwan Valmiki in a dialogue of the film. The press conference was addressed by Chandan Grewal, Pawan Baba, Subhash Sondhi, Deepak Telu and several other leaders.

Old cases to be pursued

The community members today also vowed to pursue the cases registered against Star Plus Channel in 2009 and Rakhi Sawant a couple of weeks ago for allegedly using derogatory language against Bhagwan Valmiki.

They said an FIR was registered against Star Plus Channel in Jalandhar on October 6, 2009, for showing “Bidaai”, a TV serial, in which derogatory language was allegedly used for Bhagwan Valmiki. Yet, the police have failed to arrest the accused for the same. Similarly, an FIR against Rakhi Sawant in Jalandhar didn’t result in her arrest. They said they would pursue both cases till their logical conclusion.

Road remains closed

The Adampur-Hoshiarpur road remained closed for around 30 minutes when the Valmiki community members staged a protest on the same issue. The community members blocked the road. The blockade was lifted only when the community members submitted a memorandum to the Adampur police.