Petition against Da Vinci Code dismissed

New Delhi, June 12: The Supreme Court today dismissed two petitions seeking to ban the screening of the controversial Hollywood movie 'Da Vinci Code' and also the novel on which the movie is based on grounds that it hurt the religious sentiments of Christians in the country.

A vacation bench comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice Altamas Kabir dismissed the petition filed by All India Christian Welfare Association and by one Matthew, saying, that no violation of fundamental right was involved.

The court rejected the contention of the petitioner that the movie was full of blasphemy and violated the fundamental right of freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 and Article 14 of the Constitution.

The petitioner also pointed out that five state governments have banned the exhibition of the movie which was released on May 26, 2006.

The court put a pertinent question to the petitioner whether in any Christian country the movie or the novel which was published in 2003 has been banned. The court also asked the petitioner whether he admits that the movie is based on facts and not on fiction as claimed by the producer of the movie.

The petitioner had no answers to the queries made by the court.

The petitioner had sought to ban the exhibition of the movie and a ban on circulation and publication of the novel on the grounds that the movie had depicted Jesus Christ in a derogatory manner and has said that the Holy Bible was written by a man called Jesus Christ, who according to the Christians was the son of God and not an ordinary mortal.

The movie also depict that the crucifixion of Christ was exploited for political mileage.

UNI

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