An FIR has been filed at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow against Tandav, the new web series featuring Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia. Police have registered a case and started investigation.
The FIR has been lodged under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (1) (B) (statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) and 505 (2) (Whoever commits an offence specified in sub-section (2) in any place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine) along with sections of the IT Act.
The FIR has also named director Ali Abbas Zafar, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra, writer Gaurav Solanki and Amazon India Original Content head Aparna Purohit. This FIR is written on the Tahrir of Sub Inspector Amar Nath Yadav of Hazratganj Kotwali, Lucknow.
Accusing the web series of trying to destroy the social fabric of the country and create tension, the complaint states,
“As per the directions of higher officials, the web series was watched and it was found that in the 17th minute of Episode 1, the characters who are playing Hindu gods and goddesses have been shown in an uncharitable way and they are using undignified language, which could trigger religious sentiments.”
The Complaint further states that in the 22nd minute of episode number 1, there are dialogues which may spread caste-based enmity. Also, it states that the person holding a dignified post like that of prime minister has been shown in a very derogatory manner throughout the web series.
“A police team from Hazratganj will leave for Mumbai to investigate and interrogate those named in the FIR on Monday,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Somen Barma.
While taking cognizance of complaints that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in Tandav, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday sought an explanation from Amazon Prime Video on the issue.
“The ministry has taken cognizance of the matter (complaints) and asked Amazon Prime Video to explain,” a source in the ministry said.
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It has been alleged that the web series has ridiculed Hindu deities. BJP MP Manoj Kotak said on Sunday that he has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar requesting him to stop the web series Tandav of Amazon Prime Video.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra has also sent a legal notice to Amazon seeking removal of web series Tandav from its platform.