IFFI: Hindu groups submit petition not to show S Durga

About half a dozen Hindu organisations on Saturday submitted a petition to the organisers of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa requesting them not to show the Malayalam film 'S Durga'. 

The Kerala High Court had a few days back ordered that the film is screened at IFFI.  

The petition was given to Sunit Tandon, Director of IFFI. It said the screening of the controversial movie should be stalled to maintain law and order.

"It is clear that the film has targeted the Hindu Goddess Durga and denigrated her and in the process hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. The film is also likely to create law and order situation," the petition signed by various organisations, including members of Sanatan Sanstha and Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh, reads.

The Kerala High Court had recently given a go-ahead for the screening of the film at IFFI. The festival organisers have asked the filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan to submit the censored version of the film.

"The court may have given the direction to show this film. We respect the court but you can't ignore the sentiments of crores of Hindus who worship Goddess Durga," the petition reads.

The petition said, "Currently issues are going on regarding 'Padmavati' film. So showing this film at IFFI will add to the controversies. Though there is freedom of art, it can't be at the cost of hurting of feelings of the majority community."

"S Durga" was earlier titled "Sexy Durga." It won the Hivos Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2017.