New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh government will issue new guidelines to filmmakers under which scripts will need the district administration’s approval before shooting, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, a day after activists of the Bajrang Dal allegedly went on a rampage in Bhopal on the sets of director Prakash Jha’s web show Aashram.
Speaking about the alleged attack, Mishra questioned filmmakers on their alleged hypocrisy over portrayal of religions. He added that while filmmakers are welcome to shoot in the state, prior permission must be taken before filming “objectionable scenes”.
The minister also said he also has reservations over the web series Aashram.
“I have an objection to the shooting of the web series Aashram that’s taking place in Bhopal. Why do you portray and film scenes that hurt our sentiments? If you really have the courage, why don’t you film scenes that can hurt the sentiments of any other religion?” Mishra asked Monday while speaking to reporters in the state capital.
“If there is any scene which is objectionable or if you have a story that hurts any religion, then first give that story to the administration and get permission and carry out shooting only after that,” Mishra said.
“You are welcome to come and make your film in Madhya Pradesh, but if there are any objectionable scenes then just inform the district administration. If anyone else also feels there are any objectionable scenes, they can also inform the administration,” he added.
On Sunday, a unit of Bajrang Dal vandalised the sets of Prakash Jha’s show and smeared ink on his face, alleging that the series title was an assault on Hinduism. The Right-wing group called for a change in the title, saying the shooting won’t be allowed to take place otherwise.
On the web show, actor Bobby Deol portrays the role of Baba Nirala, who is a conman masquerading as a godman. The Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad have claimed that the series hurts religious sentiments, especially with its portrayal of Hindu ashrams.
Two seasons of the show have aired on video streaming platform MX Player so far. The third season is currently being shot.
Also read: Why soft-spoken Shivraj Chouhan is now wielding ‘danda’, suspending officials at public rallies
What Bajrang Dal said
Bajrang Dal’s Madhya Bharat wing issued a statement Sunday stating that Aashram-3 is a direct attack on the faith of Hindu society. It demanded that the show’s shooting must not be allowed.
“Bajrang Dal has objected to the name of this series Aashram. Our revered saints reside in ashrams, the society runs on their inspiration,” the statement said.
“Freedom of expression does not mean that you should hurt the religious cultural sentiments of the majority Hindu society. These people do not have the courage to do such things with other religions. This is an ideological attack on Hindu identity,” it added.
“Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Madhya Bharat, urges the honourable chief minister and the directors of the web series not to create and misuse holy names on such a topic. Honourable chief minister, please note that the land of Madhya Pradesh should not become the land of this anti-Hindu work. And shooting on such subjects should not be allowed in Madhya Pradesh,” the statement read.
(Edited by Amit Upadhyaya)
Also read: Why Shivraj Singh Chouhan is under pressure in MP but likely not on his way out as CM