Govt sends letter to I and B ministry, ban movie

Panaji,May 16: In deference to the wishes of the Christian community, the Goa government today decided to dash a letter to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting besides the Central Censor Board seeking a ban on the screening of the controversial film based on the novel Da Vinci Code now set for world-wide release on May 19.

Briefing media persons after the Cabinet reviewed the issue on the basis of the letter received from the Goa Catholic Association, Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said the Cabinet took ''cognisance'' of the circular, attached with the letter, issued by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Fillip Neri Ferao to the astors, priests, parishioners asking them not to entertain the film.

''The film,which attempts to distort and degrade Christianity,is likely to harm the sentiment of the Christian community, leading to communal disturbances, demonstrations and protests,'' Mr Rane said adding the letter sent to chief secretary cautioned the government.

The government, he said, would not like to take the risk even as several of his cabinet colleagues belonging to the Christian community expressed anger against the screening of the film in Goa and even in different parts of the country.

Now, it was for the I&B ministry and the censor board to take appropriate decision, Mr Rane added admitting he did not know the contents of the film.

UNI