AP takes a cue from UP, bans Aarakshan

NEW DELHI: After Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday banned Prakash Jha’s film Aarakshan (reservation) on the eve of its release over certain controversial scenes and dialogues.The ban will remain in force for a week or till the government takes a final decision on the matter. The government has constituted a five-member screening committee, headed by Principal Secretary (Social Welfare Department), to preview the movie and submit a report based on which it will take a final call.The Commissioner of Information and Public Relations will be the member-convenor of the committee which has retired IAS officer T Gopal Rao, Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation former chairman Adi Seshagiri and a representative of SC, ST and BC organisations as its members.The decision to ban the movie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone was taken after organisations like the Andhra Pradesh SC Welfare Association and Andhra Pradesh Ambedkar Yuvajana Sangham urged the government to suspend exhibition of the film claiming it is likely to hurt the sentiments of SC, ST and BC communities. Following their representation, the chief secretary had asked the Commissioner of Information and Public Relations to submit a report. In his report, the Commissioner reportedly expressed apprehensions that Aarakhshan did contain scenes/dialogues which may cause trouble. The Home Department too concurred and accordingly, the government decided to stay the film’s release.