SC asks Doordarshan to telecast documentary

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Supreme Court today directed Doordarshan to telecast within eight weeks a documentary, ''Father, Son and Holy War'', on its Channel 1 or 2 at a convenient time, to be fixed by the channel itself.

A division bench of Justice A R Laxmanan and Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta issued the direction while dismissing an appeal by Director-General of Doordarshan and others.

The appeal was directed against the judgement of the Bombay High Court, also directing Doordarshan to exhibit the documentary.

Produced by Anand Patwardhan, the National Award winning documentary, in two parts, dealt with social realities and issues such as the patriarchy, violence, fundamentalism, supression of human beings among others issues.

While part one was given 'U' certificate, part two was granted 'A' certificate by the Censor Board.

The producer of the documentary approached the High Court after the Prasar Bharati declined to screen the documentary on the ground that it contained scenes which could promote violence, its production quqlity was unsatisfactory and its telecast would be violative of the policy of Doordarshan not to screen 'A' certified movies.

The apex court in its judgement noted that the film depicted social vices that were eating into the very foundation of our social lives.

''The documentary in our cosidered opinion showcased a real picture of crime and violence against women and members of various religious groups perpetrated by politically-motivated leaders for political, social and personal gains,'' the Court observed.

The documentary, the Court said, does not violate any constitutional provisions nor will it create any law and order problems as apprehended by Doordarshan.

The appeal by Doordarshan is devoid of any merits and thus the impugned High Court judgement deserves to be upheld and sustained by this court, the Judges said.

UNI