Indian Film makers face legal action for denigrating Jesus
(November 17, 2011) A Christian organization says it has planned to file a criminal
complaint against the makers of a Hindi movie, which depicts Jesus Christ in an insulting
and derogatory manner. Posters promoting the movie: Who’s There? (Kaun Hai Wahan?),
show Jesus Christ hanging upside down on a crucifix with knives in the background.
One features a man stabbing Jesus while he is being crucified. Although the producers
have issued an apology, officials of the Catholic Secular Forum say the posters are
in bad taste and could stoke sectarian tension. “An apology has been given by the
film makers but we will still proceed with our complaint to ensure that such things
do not happen in future,” said Joseph Dais, the forum’s general secretary. He said
all references to Christianity in the movie have been removed and a special screening
was organized for Christian leaders in Mumbai Wednesday. However, legal action has
to be taken to serve as a deterrent to those who try to hurt people’s religious sentiments,
he added. The film deals with a ghost haunting a newly married couple. It is scheduled
for release on November 18. Father Babu Joseph, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops’
conference, said there has been a growing number of movies and advertisements that
denigrate the Christian faith and its practices. The steps being taken by the Christian
forum will send a strong signal to those who have scant regard for the faiths of other,
he said. Dais said forum officials will also meet federal law and justice minister
Salman Khurshid next week regarding the matter.