Petition in SC for stay on Dasavatharam

Kamal Hassan's multi-crore movie Dasavatharam has landed in trouble with a petitioner alleging that it can hurt the religious sentiments of 50 crore Vaishnavites.

Actor and director Kamal Hassan's multi-crore movie

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Dasavatharam

has landed in trouble with a petitioner on Monday moving the Supreme Court for a stay on its release, alleging it could hurt the religious sentiments of 50 crore Vaishnavites.

The petitioners submitted that if screening of the movie was not stayed it would create a law and order problem in the country.

The petition filed by R Bakthavatsalam and Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa from Chennai alleged that the film hurts religious sentiments of 50 crore Vaishnavites.

"No one can be permitted to disturb harmony and no film should be allowed to be made which would hurt people and disturb law and order," the petitioners said.

"The film Dasavatharam projects violent clash between Saivaity (those who worship Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) hurting the religious feelings and sentiments of entire Hindu community," the petition alleged, challenging a Madras High Court order allowing screening of the film.

The petitioner had contended that the movie had scenes that offended Hindu sentiments, particularly that of Vaishnavites.

The petition was based on clippings of the movie shown in a private Tamil television channel.

Dasa prayed for deletion of scenes depicting clashes between Vaishnavites and Saivites and few other scenes.