Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Protest against film

This refers to the report of attacks by Christian groups on a theatre that was supposed to screen The Da Vinci Code in Hyderabad. That the protesters thought it fit to break windowpanes despite the disclaimer that it is a work of fiction and the Andhra Pradesh High Court's ruling quashing the Government's ban on the film is unfortunate. The film has been successfully screened in Kerala, which has a sizeable Christian population. There is no reason why it should not be screened elsewhere.

Arjun Bagvath,
Nagercoil, T.N.

* * *

The attack on the theatre is distressing. It is true that the producers of the film have not shown any consideration for the sentiments of true Christians. It is unfortunate that Dan Brown thought it fit to write fiction involving Christ, and made money out of it. But Christians have faced many challenges in the past. Their faith has remained intact. The Code cannot be an impediment to their religious fervour. True Christians will remain true to their faith. The picture will make a difference, if at all, only to those who live in doubt.

G.V. Prasad Sastry,
Hyderabad

* * *

A disclaimer should clearly state that characters in the film are purely fictitious and do not refer to any person living or dead. Can the producers of the film do it? The whole world knows that Jesus Christ and all the other characters mentioned in the book are historical. By blatantly claiming that the film is a work of fiction, they have added insult to injury.

Major E.J.N. Paul (retd.),
Chennai

* * *

The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction laced with some truth. Some organisations and places mentioned in the novel exist. Even some incidents referred to in the book have actually taken place. But the statements made about them are either untrue or have been falsified. No wonder then that the people either acclaim or condemn the book depending on which side of the religious fence they stand. Only a few see it for what it is — fiction based on historical speculation. The only way out is to leave it to the readers' and filmgoers' reason and common sense.

C.N. Mony,
Kollam, Kerala

* * *

It is true that banning the film on the ground that it will interfere with law and order is irrational. But there are many other reasons why it should be banned — distortion of history, defaming venerated people and institutions like the Catholic Church and the Opus Dei, to name a few. Artists can dabble in anything but they cannot alter history.

Oscar Priyanand,
Secunderabad

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