The Hindu : National : Catholic groups oppose release of films

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Saturday, May 13, 2006

National

National

Catholic groups oppose release of films

Staff Reporter

SayDa Vinci CodeandTickle My Funny Bonehurt their religious sentiments

MUMBAI: Two films slated for release, Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown's bestseller by the same name, and Tickle My Funny Bone, have run into trouble with Christian and Muslim organisations here.

The organisations have sent representations to the Chief Minister, the Censor Board, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police, demanding that these films should not be released.

On Friday, Abraham Mathai, general secretary, All-India Christian Council, and Maulana Saeed Noori from the Raza Academy met Police Commissioner A.N. Roy and called for a ban on the Da Vinci Code.

Several Muslim organisations are supporting the ban, as Jesus is a revered prophet in Islam too. Maulana Noori said they would not hesitate to take to the streets as in the case of the Danish cartoons.

Dolphy D'Souza, president, Bombay Catholic Sabha, said the delegation met Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh earlier this week and expressed their concerns. The film, Tickle My Funny Bone, portrayed priests and nuns in a demeaning manner and had scenes with sexual references. "In earlier films, there used to be a drunkard with a cross around his neck but these movies have crossed the limit. We would not have reacted if it were not serious. Priests and nuns are at the forefront of service related organisations like schools and orphanages. It is harmful to depict them in poor light."

Asked about Da Vinci Code, he said: "It is far more serious as it attacks the basic tenets of Christianity with portrayal of Jesus Christ as married and having children out of wedlock."

A press release from the All-India Christian Council also raised objection about the movie opening without the mandatory "work of fiction" title. Dr. Mathai said they were now asking for banning only Da Vinci Code, as all objectionable scenes from Tickle My Funny Bone were to be cut. However, Mr. D'Souza said that unless a preview was organised with a few members of the community, the Bombay Catholic Sabha would oppose both films.

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