‘Basic Structure’ of Valmiki Ramayana Distorted, Language in Dialogues Only Used by ‘Gully Boys’: PIL Before SC Seeks Ban on ‘Adipurush’

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Supreme Court of India seeking an exhibition ban on Om Raut’s ‘Adipurush’, a movie based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Hindus and devotees of various deities depicted in the movie by “destroying their fundamental values and characters” and modifying the ‘basic structure’ of Valmiki Ramayana. The petitioner has also strongly objected to some dialogues in the movie, saying that only ‘gully boys’ use such ‘derogatory’ language. In her plea before the apex court, the petitioner – Mamta Rani – has prayed for the revocation of the censor certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certificate to the movie on the ground that it is violative of the statutory provisions in Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. “The sacred fundamental texts and manuscripts are the basic spiritual and physical tenets of a cultured and civilized society which a common man of such a society relies [on] and lives [by]. A man becomes an orphan like a fallen leave from the branch of a tree without his culture and traditions,” the petitioner has stated, before outlining her specific contentions. The petitioner has taken serious objection to the disclaimer of the movie ‘Adipurush’ claiming that ‘misleading’ statements have been made in it. Besides this, the depiction of the physical features and communication styles of Hindu gods – Rama and Hanuman – are complete distortions of “not only the characters but also the very fundamental values for which they are worshipped”, the petitioner has claimed, expressing the apprehension that such depiction would influence the general public into believing in “different value and morals”. The petitioner further alleges that the depiction of Sita is ‘inappropriate and vulgar’. To illustrate this contention, the petitioner has provided the example of a dialogue by Lord Hanuman – known as ‘Bajrangi’ in the movie – to rival Indrajeet, arguing that such statements are never used in ‘civilised society’ but used only by ‘gully boys’ in India. The petition alleges: “The inspiration was taken from Valmiki Ramayana which was believed to have happened in Treta Yug in which the Rakshasas and Devas lived together on Earth and fought each other but still maintained the decorum of war and rivalry. Using derogatory words can never be an inspiration to anyone and such a distortion of such a great personality and deity like Lord Hanuman is blasphemy and this must be stopped.” The petitioner has argued that ‘Adipurush’ is a ‘mockery’ of Valmiki Ramayana, which has been fuelled by personal commercial gain. “The whole story of the film has destroyed and modified every aspect of the core values of the characters, their language and each authentic event,” the petitioner has lamented. Further, the petitioner has pointed out that the movie, released on June 16, has been continuously altered and modified after its certification and release. Such post-release alteration and modification, the petitioner has argued, is completely illegal and violative of Section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. “Violation of this section is punishable by three years of imprisonment. No action has been taken by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for this violation till date,” the petitioner has stated, before concluding: “The Indian Constitution gives us the fundamental right to freely profess and practice our religion and belief with full devotion. But feature film ‘Adipurush’ has created a dent on the values, principles and personality of our sacred deities and Gods by distorting every aspect of [their] fundamental values and principles and hence this feature film ‘Adipurush’ has hurt our sentiments.” The PIL petitioner is represented by Advocates Shailendra Mani Tripathi, Akash Awana and Ratnesh Kumar Shukla.Similar petitions are pending before the Allahabad, Delhi, and Rajasthan high courts as well. While the Delhi High Court has refused to hear the plea urgently, the Allahabad High Court on Monday slammed the makers of the movie portraying religious characters in an 'objectionable' manner. Case Details Mamta v. Union of India & Anr. | Writ Petition (Civil) No. ____ of 2023

‘Basic Structure’ of Valmiki Ramayana Distorted, Language in Dialogues Only Used by ‘Gully Boys’: PIL Before SC Seeks Ban on ‘Adipurush’

Awstika Das

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