Critics accuse Odia film ‘Sanatani’ of anti-Christian bias; sparks outrage
text_fields
Photo: X
Critics of the Sanskrit Odia film "Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" have accused it of portraying Christians and Jesus Christ negatively. Despite widespread criticism and protests, the film was released in theatres on February 7.
The Christian community has accused the filmmakers of portraying religious conversion as a criminal offence.
The film's release sparked outrage from critics who thought it displayed an antagonist worldview. Kurami, Amodh Kumar Vardhan, and three other individuals filed legal challenges to prohibit the film's release, claiming that it threatened communal unity in India.
Responding to the petitions, the Orissa High Court denied stopping the film's release. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Arindam Singha and Justice MS Sahu, ruled that "the situation did not require judicial intervention".
The court declared that “we cannot trust the evidence of November 2024 trailers and Internet depictions to intervene because the release date necessitates our inability to interfere.”
Furthermore, the court held the petitions pending and scheduled a review for February 19. The film, directed by Basudev Barada and produced by Bijay Kandoi, focuses on religious conversion in tribal-majority areas and makes assertions about the impact of conversions on land rights.
The film's depiction of religious conversion has sparked heated debate among Christian members, who believe it contains misinformation and offensive content.
Members of a Christian forum expressed their concerns about the film, citing previous cases of Christian persecution in Odisha. The discussion evoked memories of the horrific Kandhamal riots of 2008 when religious conversion claims resulted in deaths and drove many people to flee their homes.
Signatory Martin Pradhan wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mhaji, stating, "Religion is a sensitive issue." A cinema presentation frequently escalates violence between two ethnic groups, Sisat Daily reported.
Ajay Kumar Singh, a Christian priest, warned that the movie's worldwide screening, which has been allowed by the censor board, could spark new waves of atrocities against Christians in Odisha.
The National Council of Churches in India, along with the Evangelical Fellowship of India, issued an official statement criticising the film.
The religious organisations contended the filmmakers misinterpreted Christian beliefs, depicting baptism rites and religious conversion as illegal activities.
On Friday, February 7, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson wrote to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting that the censor board certificate granted to screen the film be stayed or revoked in order to protect minorities' rights because it allegedly portrays Jesus Christ in a derogatory manner.
Following the film's premiere, protests erupted across the country, with Christian organisations spearheading the demonstrations.
