MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: A day after the VHP workers stalled the screening of Aamir Khan starred ‘PK’ in the city and across Maharashtra, the state government on Tuesday initiated an inquiry to find out whether the film carried any “objectionable scenes.”
Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde said the government would not hesitate to take on the Censor Board for passing the film if it created a law and order problem in the state.
“The Censor Board may have found the film fit for release but a few organisations have objected to some scenes in the film. Protests have been going on and information from social media suggests that protests against the film may intensify in the coming days,” Shinde said.
“The Censor Board is an independent entity which is free to discharge its duties without any interference from our end. However, when we find a threat to law and order in the state we will not hesitate to take anybody on, be it the Censor Board or anyone else,” he added.
Shinde revealed that the state government has asked Additional Director General of Police(ADGP) Deven Bharti to look into the matter and take action if the complaints received were proved true.
“I have asked him to send us a report at the earliest. I am expecting a report in next three-four days. If something wrong is indeed found, necessary action should be taken without delay,” he said.
The VHP has announced that it will not allow screening of the film till the objectionable content is removed.
Released on December 19, ‘PK’ has earned more than `200 crore at the box office. Meanwhile, he Information and Broadcasting(I&B)Ministry on Tuesday said it could not act on a film, once it has been cleared by the Censor Board.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding attacks on Aamir Khan-starrer PK by Hindu right-wing groups over ‘objectionable’ content, Minister of State (MoS) for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, “Once the Censor Board certifies a film, thereafter, the Supreme Court’s guidelines are very clear. There have been precedents also.... And the court is very clear on it, that the Central government cannot act on a film thereafter.”
He, however, added that state governments were authorised to take action, depending on the law and order situation.
“So, if as on date, if there is any particular film which the state feels is causing a law and order, it is empowered to act judiciously,” he said.
Referring to the spate of protests across the country against PK, Rathore said those who had grievances against any particular film were free to approach courts.
“So this is a good time for the citizens of this country to know that neither the I&B Ministry nor the Central government has any authority to act on any film, once it has been released. The people are empowered, the citizens of this country are empowered to go to various courts of justice to seek their help,” he added.