Gurgaon: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday denied that he had called himself God in the film 'MSG - Messenger of God'. He said there was nothing objectionable in his film and that the Censor Board has muted just two words.
Speaking with mediapersons in Gurgaon after the film was cleared for screening by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, the Dera chief said, "I have never tried to project myself as God...I haven't called myself God in the film."
He confirmed that the film, featuring him, will not be premiered on Friday and added that no dates have been finalised about the release of the film.
Asked about the resignation of Censor Board chief Leela Samson and member Ira Bhaskar, he said he did not even know the names of the people who have resigned.
"We had to mute one sentence from the movie in the Tribunal. Those who are complaining haven't even seen the film. We have shown what we have done, if we have planted five crore trees, we have shown that, how is it not in the interest of nation?" he said and added that the movie was not a show of strength.
He reiterated that there was nothing in the film to oppose and requested those opposing the film to watch it.
Meanwhile, tense scenes were witnessed in Bhatinda and Amritsar over the release of film. The movie sparked protests after Dera supporters celebrated the film's clearance by the apellate tribunal while opposing groups called for a ban on the movie.
Local police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident. The Director General of Police also called a meeting with senior officials to take stock of situation. Security forces held a flag march in Amritsar and Bhatinda to control the emerging security concerns.
Members of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) raised slogans saying that they would not allow its screening. The movie that was expected to hit theatres on Friday, had been referred to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) for clearance by the Censor Board on January 12.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Harpal Singh Pali, Haryana SAD spokesman Sant Singh Kandahari and INLD leader Inderjit Singh were among those who led the protest.
Even after clearance, the release of the controversial movie was stalled on Friday after Censor Board chief Leela Samson resigned late on Thursday night. Citing her displeasure, she pointed fingers at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and said there was "interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organisation appointed by the Ministry".
She also said she had to manage an organisation whose board had not met for over nine months as the Ministry had 'no funds' to permit the meeting of members.
A Dera spokesman said the movie "is against drugs and there is nothing objectionable" in it. Meanwhile, Punjab Film Distributors Association (PFDA) said they will take a decision on the screening of the movie next week after the revised date of its release is announced.
"Since the film has been cleared by the Censor Board, the association will discuss the issue and take a decision after the new date of the release of the movie is announced by the production house," Association spokesman Rajesh Talib said.
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