Delhi HC refuses to stay Paresh Rawal's 'The Taj Story'
What's the story
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined an urgent hearing for a petition seeking to stay the release of Paresh Rawal's upcoming film, The Taj Story. The movie, set to hit theaters on Friday, has sparked controversy over its poster depicting a statue of Lord Shiva emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal. Advocate Shakeel Abbas filed the petition, claiming that the film presents fabricated and provocative content regarding the origins of the Taj Mahal.
Legal proceedings
Court asks why plea should be heard immediately
Abbas requested a bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela to hear his petition on Wednesday. He argued that The Taj Story is based on "fabricated facts and propaganda" which could erode faith in historical scholarship, provoke communal unrest, and damage the international reputation of the Taj Mahal. However, the court questioned why it should hear this plea immediately. "Why today? When was the certification issued? It will be auto-listed. Sorry," it said.
Petition details
Abbas seeks stay on film's release
In his petition, Abbas has asked for a stay on the film's release in its current form. He has also sought directions from the court for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to review the certificate granted to The Taj Story or impose necessary cuts to maintain communal harmony. Additionally, he has requested that the movie carry a disclaimer stating it is based on a disputed narrative.
Concerns raised
Film could provoke communal tensions, plea states
Abbas's petition also argued, "The movie contains deeply divisive scenes that could provoke communal tensions and disturb peace in society." This comes a day after a BJP leader from Ayodhya, Rajneesh Singh, filed a complaint with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the CBFC, claiming the film was based on his 2022 high court petition regarding 22 locked rooms inside the Taj Mahal. He added that the movie referenced his petition in a "misleading" manner without his permission.