BHUBANESWAR:Seeking a ban on the release of BJD MP starrer Oriya film "Swayamsiddha" for allegedly propagating Maoist ideology, BJP today demanded a CBI probe into the source of funding of the big budget film.
"A thorough investigation by an independent agency preferably by CBI be instituted to ascertain if there is any nexus with Maoists. The investigating agency should be specifically assigned to find out source of funding of the big budget movie," state BJP's youth wing said in a memorandum to Orissa governor M C Bhandare.
BJD MP from Berhampur Siddhant Mohapatra who played the lead role as area commander of the out-lawed outfit clarified that he was not in politics when the film was shot.
He preferred to stay away from getting into the details of the film.
Terming BJP's allegation that the film was made with Maoist funding, film's producer Pravat Ranjan Mallick said in fact there had been an attempt to bring back red rebels into the mainstream through the film.
BJP's state youth wing president Bibhuti Jena alleged that the movie glorified Maoist ideology and attempted to attract youths to the ideology of violence.
Besides, BJP pointed out that the movie was shot in dense forests of Koraput, known for dominance of Maoists. "We have grassroots inputs from the area that during the shooting of the movie even Maoists helped them to make the role of Sidhanta Mohapatra more alive," Jena said.
Seeking a clarification from chief minister Naveen Patnaik, BJP said another BJD MP Prasanna Patsani also made a special appearance in the film. "We doubt the ruling party's direct involvement in promoting Maoist cause," the party said in the memorandum.
While justifying BJP's doubt, Jena said sometimes leaders and workers of opposition parties were targeted by Maoists while BJD leaders were left untouched by the ultras.
Copies of the memorandum was also sent to the Prime Minister and union home minister.