Hindu seer issues guidelines for filmmakers to prevent 'disrespect' of Sanatan Dharma
Prayagraj (UP) (PTI): Prominent Hindu seer Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Thursday issued guidelines for filmmakers asking them to refrain from "criticising, disrespecting or ridiculing" Sanatan Dharma.
The seer had on January 3 constituted the 'Dharma Censor Board' to review Bollywood films and keep a check on any "anti-religious" content or distortion of facts about Sanatan Dharma.
Addressing newspersons at the ongoing Magh Mela here, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said the guidelines are being conveyed to all filmmakers and they are expected to no longer include scenes and dialogues "criticising, disrespecting or ridiculing Sanatan Dharma" in their films.
"The guidelines are based on the policy of 'jhonko, toko and roko' (talk, intervene, stop)," he said, adding that if the filmmakers do not pay heed, legal route will be adopted.
"A legal cell has also been created for this," he said.
Talking about the Dharma Censor Board, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said, "Our experts will see a film when it is released and if we find it suitable for people belonging to Sanatan Dharma, we will issue a certificate."
"At present, films passed by the censor board set up by the government have been found carrying scenes that hurt the sentiments of people. We have repeatedly asked for a religious person to be included in the censor board but this demand has not been accepted. This is why we had to constitute our own board," he said.
Clarifying that the Dharma Censor Board "will act as an assistant to the censor board of the government", the seer said, "We are not questioning their censor board."
Shankaracharya's media in-charge, Shailendra Yogi said the Dharma Censor Board will also ensure that film titles do not hurt religious sentiments of people or disrespect any deity or seers.
The work of this board will not be limited to films or serials, but also cover theatre productions in schools, colleges and universities, he said.
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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
