TN says L and O apprehensions prompted 'Code' ban

Chennai, June 29 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today filed its reply before the Madras High Court in 'The Da Vinci Code' case, stating that to avert communal tension and potential violence the screening of the film was ordered to be suspended in city theatres.

The reply filed by the Home Secretary and Police Commissioner said the movie went against Christian tenets. There had been alarming protests, with expression of strong resentment, and the screening would be to the detriment of a section of people in society. Protests against screening of the film had been lodgedly the Indian Christian Association, All Indian Christian Federation, National Christian Youth Movember and the President of Marumalarchi Muslim League.

This had caused great concern to communal harmony, peace and tranquility in the state. The Government had directed the Police Commissioner to assess the situation and thereafter if considered appropriate, consider the suspension of exhibition of the movie in accordance with Provisions of Section 13 of Cinematography Act.

To avert communal tension, the film was ordered to be suspended.

The suspension order had been forwarded to the Centre as required under Section 13 (2). The Centre should take a decision as per powers under Section 13 (2). The petitioner, if aggrieved could agitate before the Centre, which had the power to confirm or discharge.

The contention that the film with different titles in different countries when released did not cause law and order problem in the 65 countries abroad was no ground as Indian culture varied from Western civilization in all aspects. The feelings of the minority community was likely to be hurt by such narration shown in the movie, they added.

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