PRESS STATEMENT February18, 2005
The Editor PRESS STATEMENT Re: AICU & BCS DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF THE MOVIE 'sins' The All India Catholic Union [AICU] & The Bombay Catholic Sabha [BCS] condemns the attempts made by the Director Vinod Pande to sensationalize the so called fictional sexual escapades of a Priest. This portrayal of an ordained Priest in such light will hurt the sentiments of the Christian Community as there appears to be a fine dividing line between pornography, truth and fiction. As you are aware there have been heightened attacks on the Christians in some parts of the country in the last few months. And given the communal situation in the country, portrayal of such sensitive themes don�t augur well as there could be a communal fall out as a consequence. It is quite obvious from the refusal of TV channels to telecast the promos, that the Director is hell bent on raising the communal heat by screening this movie. We therefore earnestly, urge the Director to withdraw this movie from a telecast We are also shocked as to how the Censor Board deemed it fit to release this move under an �A� certificate given the sensitive theme of the picture which will sure upset the minorities. We have requested our National President Dr. John Dayal of the AICU to take up this matter with the Union Home Minister, Information and Broadcasting Minister, National Minorities Commission and other appropriate authorities. We urge the C.M, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Dy C.M. Shri RR Patil, and the Police Commissioner Shri Roy to intervene in this matter and stop the screening of this movie. The Executive Committee of the BCS is meeting this evening to take stock of the situation and will work on appropriate steps if required. Best Regards, Dolphy D'souza National Vice-President - All India Catholic Union& President-The Bombay Catholic Sahbha AICU Vice-President's address for personal correspondence: 43. Kalina, Behind Kalina Police Chowky, Hotel Viswashanti, Santacruz [e], Mumbai: 400 029. email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 26665447 / 26662585/ Mobile: 9820226227.
