Taking note of widespread protests by tribal groups and PIl filed in High Court against disparaging statements for indigenous tribes in recently released ‘MSG-2 — The Messenger’, the State Government on Saturday barred the film from being screened in the State. “No one has the freedom to hurt the sentiments of the indigenous and aboriginal people of the State. Such controversial films, which are bound to mar the reputation of tribal community, cannot be allowed to be shown in the State. Nobody has the right to insult any social group,” Chief Minister Raghubar Das said.
In the film’s 2:46 minute long trailer, released on August 27, there is a section where the protagonist defames ‘adivasis’ in some unsavoury remarks. These dialogues irked members of Scheduled Tribes, who took them as an insult.
“Such statements presenting tribal people as a criminal-minded and backward community are a terrible blow to the reputation of tribal people. When they are conveyed through films, which reach residents of other States too, the entire tribal community is presented in a bad light across the nation. Even if it is fictional, it does and will form a wrong image of tribal people in the mind of viewers,” said Adivasi Sarna Mahasabha Convener Shiva Kachchap.
Meanwhile, in protests against the film and its Director, Writer, Actor and Singer Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, members of Adivasi Jan Parishad demonstrated and burned effigies at Albert Ekka Chowk on Saturday evening.
Not only associations, tribal religious leaders also strongly registered their criticism on the matter. Sarna religious leader Bandhan Tigga stated, “On one hand, our Prime Minister advocates promoting Scheduled Tribes for development of the nation, whereas there are some who disrespect our very social structure and way of life. How can tribals, who were part of Indus Valley civilisations like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, be akin to animals and devilsIJ”
He added, “I will watch the film tomorrow, and if we find any derogatory statements made regarding indigenous tribes, we will be filing a case against the writer and director of the film under SC and ST Act (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. If the disputed scene is not removed the film, we will intensify protests.”
Meanwhile, a High Court bench of Chief Justice Virender Singh and Justice PP Bhatt has instructed notices to be issued to respondents - film’s director Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Hakikat International Pvt ltd, Union Government, Censor Board and State Tribal Advisory Committee - and their replies to be submitted to the Court.