The Da Vinci Code Begins Screening Across India Amidst State Imposed Bans

|PIC1|NEW DELHI, INDIA - The controversial movie, the Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel, has begun screening in movie theatres across India even as some states like Nagaland and Punjab have decided to ban its screening.

Notwithstanding the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of India to clear the film with an 'A' certificate and film distributor, Sony agreeing to put in a legal disclaimer both at the beginning and the end of the movie, the Nagaland government has decided to prohibit screening of the movie as well as ban the novel on which the film has been made.

According to news reports, Nagaland government has issued an 'advisory' to all the cinema hall owners, video parlours and cable operators not to receive, distribute or screen the film in any form in the state.

Not only that, the Nagaland government has also decided to ban the Dan Brown novel in the state and appealed to all booksellers, stockiest, distributors, individual readers not to sell, buy, distribute or read the novel in the state.

|TOP|The Nagaland cabinet was of the view that while the Ron Howard's film is, 'blasphemous and offensive' for portraying Jesus Christ and Christian in a 'objectionable' manner, Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code is an assault on Christianity.

Meanwhile, the state government of Punjab has also banned the screening of the movie on grounds that it may disturb the “communal harmony, peace and tranquility” in the state.

Though the state had not witnessed any large-scale protest relating to the movie, the Catholic Church diocese of Jalandhar had sought a ban on the movie a day before it was scheduled to be screened.

The state home department’s order on Thursday said that the decision was taken after “the Christian community expressed strong resentment against the alleged objectionable contents of the movie.”

|AD|As there was “a possibility of violent confrontation at some places, particularly those having sizable population of Christians,” the state government had decided to ban the screening of the movie.

Meanwhile other states like Goa and Mizoram have preferred take the watch and wait approach.

In Mumbai and Kerala, the High Courts have declined to stay the release of the controversial movie.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Christians have expressed their displeasure at the screening of the movie. The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) has taken strong exception to the Censor Board’s decision to release the controversial film in India and has called for a review.

In other states, including Delhi, the movie drew moderate crowds although worldwide, it is reported that the movie raked in over $ 200 million within its first week at the box-office.





[Editor's Note: Jacob Chatterjee reported from New Delhi, India for this article].





Jacob Chatterjee
Christian Today Correspondent