Several Indian films have sparked controversies lately. A film titled “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma” is alleged to have portrayed Christians in a negative image and disrespecting Jesus Christ. Despite criticism and protests, the film was released on February 7.
Members of the Christian community accused the filmmakers of the Sanatani film of wrongly portraying conversion as a criminal offence. The film’s release was met with severe criticism and opposition for release. However, on Friday, the film was released in theatres.
Earlier, writ petitions were filed by petitioners Kurami and Amodh Kumar Vardhan and three others alleging that the film is derogatory to the Christian religion and holds the potential to disrupt communal harmony in the country. The Orissa High Court, however, declined a stay on the release of the movie which was scheduled to release on February 7. The Court ruled that if the film is found to have any controversial elements, it will be reviewed after release.
The division bench of Chief Justice Arindam Singha and Justice MS Sahu said, “Considering the petitioner themselves they had knowledge about the trailers in November 2024 coupled with depictions from a website descriptively similar to another with no demonstration of checks in place for authenticity of contents. It is a situation unsafe for us to rely on and interfere when the film is set to be released on Friday.”
“We keep the writ petitions pending to be listed on February 19, 2025 for them to inform us on reconsideration or that it is not necessary,” concluded the bench.
The film revolves around religious conversion in the tribal majority in the state and how indigenous groups are converting and are being denied their lands. The film is produced by Bijay Kandoi and directed by Basudev Barada.
The members also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mhaji, a member of the BJP of Kandhamal, requesting him to stop Sanatani’s release.
Christian forum also condemned the film and said we must remember the organising history of atrocities and violence faced by Christians in Odisha, “The brutal attacks, loss of life and forced displacement reminds us of the dangers of religious intolerance.”
They alleged that the film is an attempt to present a false narrative and incite hatred among the community living in peace.
Martin Pradhan, a community member who signed the letter said, “Religion is a sensitive issue. Such films may lead to tensions between two communities.”
A catholic priest from Kandhamal Ajay Kumar Singh said, “It will have a national impact since it got sensor board clearance. We are now fearing that more attacks will happen in Odisha.
Condemning the film, The National Council of Churches in India and Evangelical Fellowship of India released a statement and said, “The film derogatorily depicts Jesus Christ and Christian services, distorting the image of Jesus, key aspects of Christian doctrine particularly the sacrament of baptism and misrepresenting conversion as a criminal activity.”
Protests were organised by Christian organisations and local authorities of at least 30 districts were warned of the possible threat after the movie’s release to Christians. The fear in the Christian community who make up 2.7% of Odisha’s total population comes after violence broke out in 2008 in Kandhamal following accusations of forced conversions.
