In India ‘Da Vinci Code’ film to be cleared only after I & B Minister has a look

(May 17, 2006) : In wake of a number of Christian and Catholic organisations voicing their disapproval of The Da Vince Code movie being released in India on Friday 19^th May, the Indian Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi on Tuesday decided to take a final decision after viewing the controversial film. Mr. Dasmunsi asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to stall the clearance of the film, until the Government reviewed the same. Keeping in mind the sensitivities of the Christian and Catholic communities, the Minister said that the government wanted to be sure it is taking the right decision. The Minister along with CBFC officials and some representatives of the Catholic Church had a screening of the movie on Wednesday in New Delhi. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India had already asked for a ban on the controversial movie, as it hurts the religious sentiments of the Christian community. The Archbishop Filipe Neri António Ferrão of Goa had in his letter on May 11 asked all faithful to “refrain from harmful and blasphemous entertainment”. Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly Cardinal Vithayathil had also deplored the efforts to distort history and sacrilegiously malign the person of Jesus Christ and His message. Some Islamic organisations also came forward in condemning the movie as profane as it shows Jesus in a poor light. Islam also reveres Jesus as one of the prophets.