Amid controversy on dialogues and characterization in the newly released movie Adipurush, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said that the government will think of banning the movie in the state, if people demand so.
Speaking to media persons in Raipur on Saturday, Baghel said that Bajrangbali (Lord Hanuman) has been made to say such words (in the movie) that are used by Bajrang Dal (right wing organization). “This is highly objectionable and I condemn this,” he said.
He further said that there are attempts to malign the image of the revered Gods, and the political parties that portray themselves to be the protectors of religion are being silent. The people who burn down things, shut down theatres for small things are nowhere to be seen, Baghel said, adding that the senior BJP leaders who made big statements on movies like Kerala Files and Kashmir Files have nothing to say now and even the lower level leaders are silent.
State BJP president Arun Sao said that he is yet to watch the movie and thus will not be able to react to it.
Baghel, however, spoke in detail about the issue. The CM said that the earlier depiction of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman was always very benign and full of devotion. Even the depiction in Valmiki Ramayan made them full of power and devotion, but in this movie, Lord Ram is depicted as warrior Ram and Lord Hanuman as ‘angry bird’, said the chief minister.
“They are made to say undignified words and the dialogues given to the character of Lord Hanuman are of extremely low level. The image of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman are being distorted through the movie. It is not right to depict the Gods that we have faith in and those we worship in such a way. What will be the impact on the young people who watch this movie?” Baghel asked.
He also added that earlier, (former prime minister late) Rajiv Gandhi had asked Ramanand Sagar to make the television serial Ramayana and when it was aired the markets closed down, vehicles stopped on the roads and people left all their work to wait for the serial.
The chief minister’s statements came during a lunch programme that he hosted at the CM house for those families at whose homes Baghel had eaten lunch during his ‘Bhent Mulaqat’ programmes in Bastar region. He interacted with each family that was invited to the lunch and asked about their wellbeing, a statement said.
