Centre issues ‘communal tension’ warning before Ya Rab release

JUeM counsel A V Bukhari contended that the film had scenes depicting the community in “bad light”.

A day before its release, the Centre alerted states Thursday that the movie Ya Rab may create tension between Shias and Sunnis. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) referred to an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report that said screening of the movie may cause a communal flare-up.

IB has cited reports in the Urdu Press that has criticised the movie and said there is strong resentment among a section of Muslims against its release. The Vishesh Films (Mahesh Bhatt) production shows a battle between ideologies where one group represents the Islamic principles of compassion and respect for human life, while another incites youth to avenge alleged atrocities on Muslims. The portrayal of madrasa aalims (teachers) allegedly brainwashing students for jihadi activities has been cited to seek a ban.

The MHA has cautioned states and UTs to take measures to prevent any mishap. “We have advised them to maintain sizable police presence in and around the halls and multiplexes screening the film,” an official said, adding that they had asked the I&B ministry to examine the film again and remove parts that might hurt sentiments.

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The I&B ministry, however, is unlikely to intervene, as Ya Rab has been cleared with a U/A certificate by Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT). “As a quasi-judicial body has cleared the film, it would not be appropriate to intervene,” ministry sources said.

The Bombay High Court refused to stay release of the film. Denying ad-interim relief, it asked Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra (JUeM), which has filed a PIL objecting to alleged portrayal of madrasas as breeding grounds for terrorism, to make changes in its plea.

JUeM counsel A V Bukhari contended that the film had scenes depicting the community in “bad light”.

Additional Solicitor General Kevic Setalvad argued that some of the objectionable scenes had been deleted. “The petitioner appears to have proceeded on the basis of newspaper reports. The law is that you see the film in entirety,” he said.

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Counsel for the producers Virendra Tulzapulkar, said, “The review committee suggested nine cuts. We appealed before FCAT, which asked us to remove four scenes. Cinema halls have been booked, tickets have been sold. How can court help a person who comes without material?”

— With ENS, Mumbai

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