Allahabad HC slams Hinduphobia and Rejects Anticipatory Bail plea of Senior Amazon Prime Executive in ‘Tandav’ Case

The court said that even while making a fictional show, it is the duty “of every citizen to respect the feelings of the people of other faiths…” as it rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Aparna Purohit, the India content chief of Amazon Prime Video, who has been booked in 10 FIRs across the country for hurting religious sentiments by streaming the web series Tandav..

This Court further takes notice of the fact that a number of movies have been produced which have used the name of Hindu gods and goddesses and shown them in a disrespectful manner like in Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Satyam Shivam Sundram, P.K., Oh My God, etc.

Not only this, efforts have been made to subvert the image of historical and mythological personalities as in Padmavati. The names and icons of faith of the majority community have been used to earn money (Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela).”

“The irresponsible conduct against the inherent mandate of the Constitution of India by anyone affecting the fundamental rights of a large number of citizens cannot be acquiesced to only because of the tendering of unconditional apology after committing the alleged act of crime and indiscretion,” the court said.

A single-judge bench of justice Siddharth rejected the application of Amazon Prime Video’s Aparna Purohit in connection with the ongoing investigation against Tandav for allegedly outraging religious feelings and showing Hindu gods in poor light.

The court held that Purohit was granted protection from arrest on February 11, but failed to cooperate with the investigation.

“The public blowing whistles and claps show that the revered characters of the faith of the majority community of India have been portrayed in a very cheap and objectionable way,” the court said.

Referring to the recent case of stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, the court said “things are worsening as is evident from the fact that an obscure stand-up comedian, Munawar Faruqui, from Gujarat made comments on Hindu God and Goddesses in a new year show at Indore and gained undue publicity on being arrested in a case”.