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All you need to know about controversy surrounding Leela Samson

CBFC Chief Leela Samson resigned on Thursday over release of the film MSG-Messenger of God, claims external interference; Centre hits back at her rubbishing her claims

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Amidst reports of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal(FCAT) clearing the release of MSG-The Messenger of God, CBFC Chief Leela Samson put in her papers on Thursday. The film, starring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Sant Gurmet Ram Rahim Singh in the lead role was not given a green signal by the Central Board of Film Certification earlier. But this week, the film was cleared for release by the FCAT. 


ALLEGATIONS SAMSON MAKES

Samson cites "interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers" as her reasons for quitting her coveted post. In an interview to Hindustan Times, Samson has said that the broadcast ministry rejected most of the audience certificates passed by CBFC. 

"If we gave an 'U', they would want an A certificate," she said in the interview.

Commenting on PK she said that there was major interference from various organisations to cut scenes from the film. "There was total interference on every film, big and small. A lot of pressure was put on the film PK through various fundamentalist organisations and through panel members of the board to cut scenes," said Samson.

She said that the scenes won't be deleted from PK anymore since it has reached the masses. 

Samson's term with the CBFC had ended in September 2014. But since the government failed to set up a new board of members, she and other members were asked to continue with their terms till further notice.

One of the other reasons to quit was "having to manage an organisation whose Board has not met for over 9 months as the ministry had 'no funds' to permit the meeting of members". 

She said that releasing the film was a mockery of CBFC and that her resignation id final.


GOVERNMENT DISAPPROVES HER CLAIMS

The government rubbished the charges made by Samson. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Information and Broadcast Minister said that if Samson makes such charges she should also provide evidences. 

He said, "This is her personal choice, the government has no comment on it."

Rathore has also been reportedly quoted as saying, "my officers tell me that in last few months, she only attended office once".

 

BACKGROUND OF THE FILM

The film MSG-The Messenger of God, produced by Hakikat Films, has been courting controversies ever since its first trailer was released. Sikh Groups have asked for a complete ban of the film. They claim that in the trailer the Dera Chief is seen challenging Sikhs. They also questioned how is a person accused of rape and murder a messenger of God. 

CBFC had stalled its release saying it can incite communal disharmony, but on Thursday, the FCAT allowed its release. The film is now slated to hit the theatres on January 26.

The claims and counter- claims have started and the controversy is likely to longer on for some time to come. But it again raises an important question about the way Censor Board works and government's role in its functioning. 

 

DERA CHIEF'S RESPONSE

The Dera Chief, Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has finally reacted to the controversy. He said he is unaware why Leela Samson would resign.

"I do not know why she [Samson] gave her resignation. I did not even know her name. There have reportedly been objections that there are seemingly god-like stunts, but I can point to many more movies which were released, which have the same content. These people have not even seen the movie", he said. 

He defended his upcoming film in which he stars as himself saying the movie does not promote anything that is considered wrong.

"I do not understand why people are saying that the movie sends a message that threatens national integrity. In the movie, a person is donating blood, a child-bride shares her story and as part of the movie, we have planted five crore trees. How is that now in the interest of the nation?"

Following the resignation of Leela Samson, another CBFC member Ira Bhaskar too quit on Friday. Bhaskar said, Bhaskar said, "My letter will go in the evening. I've decided to resign. Our members had discussed on this issue and we decided to support our Chairperson Leela Samson. Now she had resigned and we even have not met as a board. No board meeting for last one year."

(With Agency Inputs)

 

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