Objectionable scenes including Nupur Sharma’s statement on Prophet Muhammad, references to Deoband, Gyanwapi etc removed during a lengthy legal battle
NEW DELHI — Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani’s strong legal intervention before three different forums (Central Board of Film Certification, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court) has eventually resulted in 61 cuts in the yet to be released film Udaipur Files.
Jamiat’s primary concern regarding highly objectionable and derogatory statements of BJP’s Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammad and its justification have been completely removed from the movie.
Acting on a petition filed by Maulana Arshad Madani, the Delhi High Court scrutinised an uncertified trailer that had been illegally released and which included inflammatory references to Deoband and direct quotations of Nupur Sharma’s offensive statement made in 2022. In its July 10 order, the high court directed action to be taken against the producer for the illegal release and circulation of the trailer. The Jamiat believes that the government will take appropriate steps in this regard, it said in a press release issued here on Thursday.
While the CBFC initially allowed the film with 55 cuts, Maulana Arshad Madani’s objections regarding the justification of the statement were later accepted by the Central Government, which directed its removal on 21 July. Additionally, the government recommended five more cuts including a change of the disclaimer. Following further proceedings, a fresh order was issued on Tuesday (6 August), confirming that the controversial scenes of Nupur Sharma including her derogatory statement and its justification has now been voluntarily deleted by the producer.
The release described it as a significant step, achieved through timely legal action, ensuring respect for all religions and religious sentiments.
Maulana Madani has strongly condemned the overall portrayal of Muslims in the film, which he believes promotes communal discord under the guise of creative expression. “While religious references and derogatory content were removed, it was expected that the Central Government would itself revoke the film’s certification altogether, given the extent of vilification depicted,” the release said.
“Though concerns persist about the rising trend of vilification of Muslims in cinema, this case reaffirms that any derogatory remarks against our beloved Prophet or revered figures of any religion will not be permitted under the pretext of artistic freedoms,” the Jamiat said.
In this regard, Maulana Madani said that the important point is that all objectionable scenes have not only been removed from the film, but the central government, acknowledging the validity of objections, has also instructed the removal of several other scenes. He said that at a time when there is a growing trend of misrepresenting Muslims in films, the legal battle fought over this film and its outcome serves as a strong warning to those filmmakers who, in an attempt to please communal forces by making such films, try to harm the country’s peace, unity, and communal harmony. “It will serve as a major lesson and is also a declaration that under the name of freedom of expression, no individual, community, or nation’s religious sentiments can be hurt,” the press release said.
