Minority Federation seeks ban on Da Vinci Code

Chennai, May 19 (UNI) The Minority Federation of Tamil Nadu today condemned the censor clearance for 'Da Vinci Code' and demanded immediate ban on screening the controversial film throughout India.

In a statement here, Federation Chairman Bishop M Prakash said it was distressing to note that the Indian government, had given the nod for screening the film in the country which will hurt the sentiments of the Christian community.

'We really feel bad that the Government of India, being secular in nature and believing in unity in diversity, has allowed the picture to be screened in the country, ignoring the sentiments of Christians,' Dr Prakash said.

The film affected the feelings, sentiments and faith of Christians, who constituted one third of the world's population, Bishop Prakash said and appealed to both the Centre and Tamil Nadu governments to ban the screening of the movie.

''On behalf of the 15 per cent Christian population in the state, the federation appeals to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to slap a ban on the film. The entire Christian population is agitated as the film portrays Jesus Christ in a false and irreverent manner,'' he said.

The federation would picket Central government offices and hold agitations if the Centre failed to ban the movie and the Censor Board did not withdraw the certification given to the film, he warned.

UNI WS AA YA RK1942