After “Udta Punjab”, it’s Jacquelin Fernandes’ upcoming movie “Dishoom” which has sparked controversy on account of a song entitled “ishq ka marz”. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s General Secretary has asked CBFC Chairperson Pehlaj Nihlani to remove that song video from the film in a letter.
Depicting the reason, Sirsa wrote, “the song depicts a semi-clad actress (Ms. Jacquelin Fernandes) dancing with a Kirpan with other co-stars actor Varun Dhawan & John Abraham, one of the five compulsory Kakaars worn by a practising Sikh; dangling in front of her legs and supported by a cloth belt worn around the waist by the actress.”
He found the video as “highly offensive, mala fide and deliberate insult to the well-established Sikh tenets and customs.”
According to him, Dishoom’s cast as well as director have insulted Kirpan, which is a vital and much respected tenet of Sikhism. This is what Sirsa stated, “The film director or the cast must not be allowed to disrespect the religious symbol of the Sikh community in the name of right to freedom of expression.”
The song hurts Sikh community’s religious feelings and for the same, a number of Sikh bodies have complained. Sirsa has pleaded Central Board of Film Certification for instructing Rohit Dhawan, director of the movie, to delete each and every video of that song from YouTube, remove the song or re-shoot it. Besides, the Sikh community seeks for a public apology as well.
This is what he wrote, “I will take up the matter with concerned minister. Long back, I had made a request to Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun [Jaitley] that the CBFC should have members from minority communities to ensure that sentiments of community are not hurt. I am surprised that an article of Sikh faith has been shown in such an inappropriate manner in the song. We will go to any extent to get the video removed.”
What’s more, Sirsa also gave a warning that if no proper action is taken by CBFC with regard to it, DSGMC will have to start criminal proceedings against not only Rohit Dhawan but also CBFC.
In his words, “Please note that if CBFC fails to take the above said corrective measures within 3 days of receipt of this letter, DSGMC will be compelled to initiate criminal proceedings against the producer/director/actress of the aforesaid movie under the relevant provision of Indian Penal Code and against the CBFC for abetment of the same offence through its inaction. The DSGMC would also be free to seek damages from the makers of the movie as well as the CBFC.”