HC to hear petition against Shah Rukh Khan, Zero for hurting religious sentiments

The petitioner has sought the removal of scenes where Shah Rukh Khan is allegedly shown wearing a ‘Kirpan’, an article considered sacred in the faith, in Zero. The film’s team claims it is a ‘katar’ and not a ‘kirpan’.

Bombay high court will hear the petition filed against Shah Rukh Khan and the makers of Zero on November 30 for allegedly hurting sentiments of the Sikh community. The petitioner, Amritpal Singh Khalsa, sought removal of scenes where SRK has been shown wearing a ‘Kirpan’ – a part of Sikh faith -- stating that the “display of the Kirpan in such a way is blasphemous.”

A petition has been filed against Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero.

“The movie Zero which is coming, the lead actor Shah Rukh Khan is seen wearing a Kirpan along the Gatra that we wear (the belt). So that is a clear-cut mockery of our religion, our article of faith that is hurting my religious sentiments. I think only Sikhs are given the exclusive privilege of wearing and carrying Kirpans under Article 25. So he is clearly violating the Article 25,” Khalsa had told ANI during a recent interaction.

“Kirpan in the Sikh religion is our fundamental right and the way Shah Rukh Khan has worn the Kirpan, he has made fun of it. A lot of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives for Kirpan during the British time so he can’t make fun of it. There is no ban on wearing Kirpan, he can wear Kirpan but he has to follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada code of conduct that is what my prayer is,” he added.

This is not the first time such an objection has come to the fore against the film. Earlier this month, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa had filed a complaint against the actor for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.

In response to the allegations, the film’s team had issued a statement, saying, “The image shows a dagger popularly known as ‘Katar’ in the Indian subcontinent and is nowhere close to a ‘Kirpan’ that carries the distinguished blessing of being Khalsa.”

They also clarified that the makers have been careful not to hurt the feelings of any community, including the Sikh community. Zero stars Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles. It is helmed by Anand L. Rai, the film will release on December 21.