Plea against 'Ram Janmabhoomi' film's screening on YouTube withdrawn

A petition against streaming the Ram Janmabhoomi movie, written and produced by Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chief Syed Waseem Rizvi, on YouTube by Azhar Basha Tamboli in the Bombay High Court has been withdrawn. The film was theatrically released on 29 March 2019, though it was purported to be released on December 6 last year. Tamboli’s petition had sought a stay on the release of the film as well as withdrawal of the trailer (released on November 19, 2018) until the film was reviewed and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Supreme Court had on 28 March refused to stall the release of the movie after a plea by Yakud Habeebuddin Tucy was rejected.

Now, since the petition is withdrawn, the movie can be watched on YouTube. The film portrays the events related to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Tamboli claimed in his petition that if the film was released, it would create unrest and disrupt communal harmony in the country. Following the release of the trailer, Rizvi claimed of receiving a threatening phone call from Abdul Menon demanding a halt to the film's release.

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Pre-release fatwas against the movie

Earlier in March before the movie's release, a body of clerics in Madhya Pradesh had issued two 'fatwas' asking Muslims to avoid watching the film Ram Janmabhoomi. Another fatwa was issued against the film's actor Nazneen Patni, advising her to "revive her belief in the light of Shariat." The All India Ulama Board (AIUB) demanded the central and MP governments to prevent the film's release, alleging it was "an instrument to create hatred between two communities of society."

It said the film is being released to vitiate the atmosphere at a time when efforts are being made to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya through mediation. One of the fatwas appealed to Muslims to avoid watching the TV shows and movies that spread obscenity, communalism and portray Islam in poor light, and also films like Ram Janmabhoomi.

The movie has been directed by Sunoj Mishra. Actors like Manoj Joshi, Govind Namdev, Nazmeen Patni, Rajveer Singh, Trisha Sachdeva and Aditya are the key characters in the movie.

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SC allows written petition from Muslim parties

On the other hand, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed Muslim parties, including UP Sunni Wakf Board, to file their written note in the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, in which they have submitted that the verdict will have "consequences" for the future polity of the country.

"The Muslim party contestants before this Hon'ble Court wish to state that the decision by this Hon'ble Court, whichever way it goes, will impact future generations. It will also have consequences for the polity of this country," the note prepared by senior lawyer Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the Muslim parties, said.

(With PTI inputs)

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