AP govt suspends screening of ‘The Da Vinci Code’

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday suspended screening of The Da Vinci Code in the state. The film was to be released in the state on Friday.

On the representations from Christian and other organisations, the government decided to suspend exhibition of the movie in English, Telugu and other languages, according to a government order issued here.

The ban would be applicable throughout the state to English, Telugu and other language versions of the film, the government order said.

It mentioned about representations from minority organisations in general and Christian organisations in particular requesting the government to impose a ban on the film based on Dan Brown's controversial novel.

"The reports from the government agencies indicate that some Christian groups may take recourse to protests if the film is released and that untoward incidents may take place," the ban notification said.

The government, it said, came to the conclusion that the exhibition of the film was likely to cause breach of peace and hurt religious sentiments of the Christian community which may lead to demonstrations, disturb peace and tranquility in the state.