Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (HSGMC) today submitted a memorandum to the state Governor demanding a ban on screening of the controversial film 'Messenger of God (MSG)', featuring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
"We want that Haryana government should immediately ban the movie. It should keep in view the stiff opposition to the movie by various social, religious and political organisations," Jagdish Singh Jhinda, President of HSGMC, a body of the Haryana Sikhs, told reporters here after submitting the memorandum.
"If the movie (which is yet to be released) is shown, it can cause serious threat to peace in the region," Jhinda added.
Though Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki was not present in his office at that time, the memorandum was submitted to the office at Raj Bhawan here, Jhinda said.
He said through the memorandum they have apprised the government that the Dera chief, "calls himself a saint despite facing serious cases in the courts. And if the movie of such a person is released, it will hurt the sentiments of various sections of the society".
Jhinda said HSGMC had earlier written to the Censor Board, Haryana Government as well as the Centre demanding a ban on screening of the film.
Recently, Punjab Government decided to stop the film's screening, "in view of reports of tensions surrounding its release in some other parts of the country".
High alerts have been sounded in Punjab and Haryana after protests were staged against the proposed release of the movie. Political parties like SAD and INLD, and several Sikh outfits had taken to the streets in Delhi and the two states protesting against the film.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, on whom the movie is based, had earlier claimed at a press conference in Gurgaon in Haryana that the film does not target any religious section.
"I have clearly said that I am just human. The acts portrayed in the movie are simply stunts," he had said, in an apparent rejection of criticism from Sikh groups that he was portraying himself as God and Sikh Guru.
