HMK seeks deletion of portions of song in film 'Periyar'

Chennai, Mar 9 (UNI) The Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) has moved Madras High Court, seeking a direction to producers of the Tamil film 'Periyar' about the late rationalist leader E V Ramasamy, to delete certain parts of a song in the that film which it alleged would hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru, adjourned to March 21, the hearing of the petition filed by the state organising secretary of HMK T Kannan.

The HMK also sought a direction to the Film Censor Board not to certify the film 'Periyar' unless the objectionable portions of the song were removed.

The petitioner submitted that if the objectional portions of the song, which make a reference to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita were allowed, it would tantamount to an attack on the morality and divinity of Hindus around the world.

In the interest of justice, it was necessary for the court to appoint a group of intellectuals to view and peruse the film before it was released, the petitioner submitted.

He also contended that the Tamil Nadu government had sanctioned a grant of Rs 95 lakh for producing the film by M/s Liberty Creations Ltd. The songs in the film had already been released on audio casettes.

UNI