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      Da Munshi Code: Minister leaves it to Ministers of God           

Abraham Thomas | New Delhi

   

Putting The Da Vinci Code on hold till Friday morning, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Wednesday said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will decide on the film's release after considering the view of prominent Christian leaders who are expected to give their opinion by Thursday noon.    

 

 

   

    The news is definitely going to disappoint those waiting for a Friday release of the film as I&B Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi made it clear that the Ministry will not take a decision on the issue. Instead it will simply refer the view of the Christian leaders to the CBFC that would take a decision latest by Friday morning.

   

    On Wednesday, Dasmunshi sat through a special screening of the film with I&B Secretary SK Arora, Auxilliary Bishop Anil Couto of the Catholic Church, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Deputy Secretary General Fr Donald D'Souza, National Commission For Minority Education representative Rev Valson Thampu, members representing the Protestant groups and a host of Christian Members of Parliament.

   

    Such a need was felt after the Government received representations from 200-odd Christian groups across the country seeking a ban on the film's release since it depicted Jesus Christ, the son of God in a bad light.

   

    Speaking to reporters before the screening of the film, Fr D'Souza said, "We are seeking a complete ban on the film since the work of fiction is being sought to be projected as based on true historical facts with Jesus as the main protagonist." Hinting at this objection, which is bound to form the basis of the Christian leaders' opinion, Dasmunshi said, "so long as its fiction, it is OK."

   

    But to what extent, this view will be acceptable across the Christian community is not certain. Already voices of dissent have begun to surface.

   

    Said Fr Raju Jacob, Priest-in-charge of the Delhi Malayali Congregation, a protestant group, "even we are opposed to the use of real characters, names for which reason we are opposing the release of the film. But handling the matter in such a manner has given it (film) more popularity. Instead a workable solution could be possible by seeking a legal recourse to ban the film."

   

    A Catholic group in Mumbai has already approached the Mumbai High Court seeking appropriate directions to CBFC to ban the film. The latter had earlier given approval for the film's release in the country.

   

    The I&B Ministry finds itself in a tight spot over the entire controversy. Countering allegations that the Ministry was interfering with the job of the Censor Board, Dasmunshi said, "in case of any sensitivity involving a social or ethnic question or religious matter, the opinion of experts is referred to the CBFC which later decides on merits." The Minister further clarified, "neither the Minister nor Ministry will interfere. We will only convey what the experts have said."

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  Govt to show Da Vinci Code to Catholics before release

Wednesday May 17 2006 00:00 IST

Reuters

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