New Delhi: Taking cognizance of complaints that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in web series ‘Tandav’, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday sought an explanation from streaming platform Amazon Prime Video on the issue, sources said.
The development came after BJP MP Manoj Kotak on Sunday said he has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar seeking a ban on Amazon Prime Video’s series ‘Tandav’ for ridiculing Hindu deities.
‘Tandav’, starring actors Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Dino Morea, Kumud Mishra, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Gauhar Khan and Kritika Kamra, premiered on the streaming platform on Friday.
Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar has created, directed and produced the political drama with Himanshu Kishan Mehra and it is written by Gaurav Solanki, best known for ‘Article 15’.
“The ministry has taken cognizance of the matter (complaints) and asked Amazon Prime Video to explain,” a source in the ministry said.
Kotak, the MP from Mumbai North-East, alleged that attempts are often made on such platforms to not show Hindu deities in good light.
He said different organisations and individuals have complained that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in ‘Tandav’ web series.
“Hence, we have made a demand to Javadekar ji and have written to him to ban the web series immediately. The actors, producers and directors should apologise for hurting sentiments,” he added.
Sharing the picture of his letter to Javadekar on Twitter, Kotak said as there is no law or autonomous body governing digital content and films on such platforms are full of sex, violence, drugs, abuse, hate and vulgarity.
“Sometimes, they also hurt religious sentiments,” he added.
It seems that makers of ‘Tandav’ have deliberately mocked Hindu gods and disrespected Hindu religious sentiments, he said in the letter dated January 16.
Another politician, Ram Kadam, a BJP MLA from Ghatkopar West, also asked the director to remove the portion of the web series in which Lord Shiva is allegedly ridiculed.
The legislator said he has filed a complaint in this connection at the suburban Ghatkopar police station.
When contacted about the complaints, Amazon Prime Video PR said the platform “won’t be responding” on the matter.
The government recently brought OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, besides other online news and current affairs content, under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, giving it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space.
Also read: Road map soon for OTT players like Netflix, Zee 5 to help make content code ‘clearer’
Web series of Tandav attracts objections of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus in January 2021.
According to news reports , Saif Ali Khan and Dimple Kapadia starrer Tandav was released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday , 15 January 2021. The content has reportedly attracted objections of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. Briefly speaking , the content has been read to be controversial one leading to FIRs against the concerned amid widespread protests expressing that their religious sentiments have been hurt. Meanwhile , the concerned have tendered an apology by adding that their intent was not to hurt the religious sentiments.
In this context , it may be apt to refer readers to this Vedic astrology writer’s one of predictive alerts for more care and appropriate strategy through article :-
“ Major worrisome potential of concerns during 10 January to 13 February in soon coming year 2021 for world including India as well , calling for more care and appropriate strategy”.
The said article was published at english.nirpakhawaaz.in last year 2020 on 26 November carrying predictive alert on road-mishap in Rajasthan as follows.
“ ( C ). India is offered the following tips for closer attention , more care and appropriate strategy during ABOUT 10 January to 13 February 2021 :-
( 1 ). India …………………While the need to be alert for more care and appropriate strategy continues to exist during the entire period from ABOUT 10 January to 13 February in 2021 , the period from 14 to 17 January …………… needs particular attention.
( 2 ). It seems the executive organ of the sovereign power in the country may have to battle during the period on multiple fronts spawning over to political issues , health hazards and pandemic , issues of spiritual world related to gods and goddesses , weather vagaries with extreme tones , economic and financial dip , issues with States having financial and legal angles and fierce designs and moves of hostile countries. Judiciary may also have worrisome concerns during the period”.
These details suggest that the predictive alert appears to have been sadly meaningful besides accurate.
Link to reach the article referred to here :-
http://english.nirpakhawaaz.in/2020/11/26/major-worrisome-potential-of-concerns-during-10-january-to-13-february-in-soon-coming-year-2021-for-vulnerable-world-including-india-as-well-calling-for-more-care/