After Netflix’s A Suitable Boy, another OTT platform’s show received hatred from Twitteratis.
Tandav, recently released on Amazon Prime was trending on Twitter with #BanTandav, for hurting religious sentiments.
In regard to this, a first information report (FIR) was filed against the makers of Tandav.
According to the sources, Amar Nath Yadav, a Senior Sub Inspector at the Hazratganj Police Station, filed the FIR. He said the show portrayed Hindu Gods in a bad light which would escalate tension and fights amongst religious communities. He said the show has several casteist scenes and offends Hindu religious sentiments.
The FIR read, “After watching the series, it was found that in the 17th minute of the first episode, characters playing Hindu gods and goddesses have been shown in an uncharitable way and using objectionable language, which can incite religious tension. Similarly, in the 22nd minute of the same episode, efforts have been made to ignite caste clashes with casteist remarks. The person holding a dignified post like that of Prime Minister has been shown in a very derogatory manner in the web series.”
The FIR are filed specifically against Amazon India Original Content head Aparna Purohit, show Director Ali Abbas Zafar, Producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra, Writer Gaurav Solanki under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (1) (B) (statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility) and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) along with sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC.)
A senior police team of the Hazratganj Police Station would leave for Mumbai later in the day and would interrogate the alleged individuals.
Besides SI Amar Nath Yadav, Ram Kadam, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Maharashtra, also filed a complaint with the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting against the show.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting even demanded a response from Amazon Prime officials.
Shalabh Mani Tripathi, the media adviser of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke against the show.
In his tweet, Mr. Tripathi said, “जन भावनाओं के साथ खिलवाड़ बर्दाश्त नहीं, घटिया वेब सीरीज की आड़ मं नफरत फैलाने वाली वेब सीरीज तांडव की पूरी टीम के खिलाफ योगीजी के उत्तर प्रदेश में गंभीर धाराओं में मामला दर्ज, जल्द गिरफ्तारी की तैयारी !!!”
(There is no tolerance for playing with people’s sentiments in Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh. A serious case has been registered against the entire team of Tandav, which is spreading hate in the guise of cheap web series. Prepare for arrest.)
Meanwhile, concerned for the security of the lead actor of Tandav Saif Ali Khan, a police force was seen outside his house.
The web series which stars Saif Ali Khan, Gauhar Khan, Dimple Kapadia and others was released on the 15th of January on Amazon Prime.
Stay tuned for further updates.
