Ban on film Fanaa unjustified: Cong

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) The Congress today saw no justification in enforcing a ban on the film 'Fanaa' starring Aamir Khan, in Gujarat in protest against his remark favouring the persons displaced from the Narmada dam, and charged that the BJP had instigated its youth wing, BJYM to carry on the agitation against the screening of the movie.

"The Narmada and the film are entirely two different issues, "Congress Spokesman Rajeev Shukla said, adding that ban on the release of the film in Gujarat after the Censor Board had cleared it was unfortunate.

Briefing mediapersons here, he pointed out that Aamir Khan had already made it clear that he was not opposed to the dam nor was he against increasing its height. All he was concerned about was the rehabilitation of the Narmada oustees.

When pointed out that no statement was forthcoming from the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee condemning the forcible ban on the film, Mr Shukla said the Congress had been speaking about it in Delhi for the last three to four days. Aamir Khan himself had repeatedly been saying that he was not against the dam.

Asked why the Gujarat unit of the party was not demonstrating against the ban enforced on the film, he said the people had raised their voice against the ban.

Asked about the report that the Gujarat government was discriminating against the Muslims in giving work under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Mr Shukla said he had gone through the report. Discrimination should not be done and the Centre should take its cognizance. He would find out the truth from party's Gujarat unit.

About the ban on the release of film the Da Vinci Code in Punjab enforced by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh,the Congress Spokesman explained that it was for the sake of maintaining law and order there.

UNI YS PK ND1936