Owaisi Slams Arrest of Hyderabad Movie Club Members For 'Ram ke Naam' Screening

The case was filed based on a complaint by an individual named Ruthvik who claimed that the screening and subsequent discussion by a few attendees offended the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Owaisi asked how was screening an award-winning documentary a crime

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Telangana police for allegedly arresting three persons for screening 'Ram Ke Naam' documentary in a restaurant in Sainikpuri. The 'Ram Ke Naam' documentary by Anand Patwardhan is about the events surrounding the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

Taking to X, Owaisi said, “Can @RachakondaCop please explain why screening of the documentary Ram ke Naam was stopped midway & 3 people were arrested? How is screening an award-winning documentary a crime? If it is, then the Government of India & Filmfare should also be jailed for awarding the movie. Please let us know if we need a pre-screening certificate from police before watching a movie.”

Can @RachakondaCop please explain why screening of the documentary Ram ke Naam was stopped midway & 3 people were arrested? How is screening an award winning documentary a crime? If it is, then the Government of India & Filmfare should also be jailed for awarding the movie.…

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) January 21, 2024

His remark on 'X' followed the police intervention that stopped the screening of Anand Patwardhan's documentary. The police also registered a case against the organizers.

The case was filed based on a complaint by an individual named Ruthvik who claimed that the screening and subsequent discussion by a few attendees offended the religious sentiments of Hindus. Ruthvik, reportedly one of the invited viewers, was associated with the group 'Hyderabad Cinephiles' responsible for organizing the screening.

Later, the police intervened and stopped the screening. A case was registered at Neredmet Police Station against the organisers under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 290 (public nuisance) and 295A (Outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) read with 34.

The police said that the screening took place without permission. Further investigations are on.