'Dharam censor board' of saints to say cut to films that insult Hindu tradition

Prayagraj: A body of Hindu saints in Uttar Pradesh has been set up to censor films, documentaries, web series and other entertainment mediums that produce objectionable, offensive and defamatory content against the Hindu deities.

The 10-member 'dharam (religion) censor board', which has been constituted under the chairmanship of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati at the 'Magh Mela' held in Prayagraj.

The board's guidelines, released on Thursday, will screen entertainment content on the pattern of the Censor Board.

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said that many veterans associated with religion and culture had been included in this board. At present, he himself was handling the responsibility of the chairman of this board.

He added that this board would act as a guide to prevent any filming or broadcast of a video or audio insulting Hindu gods and goddesses or cursing the culture.

Steps would be taken through the board to stop the production of films that insult Hindu deities. He said that the production of films, series and serials distorting Sanatan culture for cheap popularity would not be tolerated.

He added that it had been created to help the censor board and the government. The board would contact all the filmmakers and directors making serials and web series and inform them in this regard. Despite this, if films and serials were produced that were "anti-Hindu" and hurt the faith, then an appeal would be made to the Hindu society to not watch them.

Along with this, if needed, protests would also be lodged through different mediums, he said.

IANS Inputs