Slum dwellers burn effigies of Slumdog Millionaire's Danny Boyle in Patna

Patna, Feb 22 (ANI): Slum dwellers here took to the streets on Sunday saying the Oscar-nominated film 'Slumdog Millionaire' denigrated them.

They burnt effigies of Danny Boyle, director of the film.

Protesters shouted slogans saying the film's title humiliated them, taking objection to the word 'dog.'

"Slum dwellers have been termed as dogs, which is insulting and abusive. Now, they are vying for the awards by abusing slum dwellers and that's why we are protesting. The makers of the film have the right to earn fame and money, but not by insulting the poor," said Tapeshwar Vishwakarma, general secretary of the Slum Dwellers Joint Action Committee.

At least 50 slum dwellers participated in the protest.

On February 18, a local court had deferred the trial in a suit filed against 'Slumdog Millionaire', in which Vishwakarma had charged that the title is offensive and derogatory.

Critically acclaimed 'Slumdog Millionaire' has received 10 Oscar nominations.

Since the film received the Golden Globe awards, slum dwellers across India have been objecting to the word 'dog' in its title. (ANI)