Tandav controversy: FIR filed against web series aired on Amazon Prime over promoting religious enmity

An FIR was filed against the director and writer of the web series 'Tandav' -- Ali Abbas Jafar and Gaurav Solanki --, allegedly for promoting Hindu gods in a bad light.

The FIR lodged at Hazratganj police station names Amazon Prime's India head of original content Aparna Purohit, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra and another unnamed person.

Reportedly, the charges include promoting enmity between different religious groups, race, place of birth, making destruction, damage, or defilement of a place of worship or an object held sacred. The charges further entail forgery for purpose of harming reputation, statements that could bring public mischief, intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India, and strike terror section of the people.


Earlier, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had summoned Amazon Prime Video officials in India in connection with the controversy around the web series 'Tandav', sources said on Sunday.

This comes after two BJP leaders alleged that the Saif Ali Khan-starrer web series 'Tandav' hurts Hindu religious sentiments.BJP leader Ram Kadam on Sunday said that he has filed a complaint at Mumbai's Ghatkopar Police Station against 'Tandav'. He alleged that the series has hurt the sentiments of Hindus and he would not tolerate this.Kadam said, "I have decided to write a letter to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar regarding this issue and will also mention that all the Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms must be brought under censorship."


When asked which part of the series he objects to, Kadam said, "One of the actors has used Lord Shiva's Trishul and Damru in an objectionable manner which has hurt the sentiments of Hindus." Strict against should be taken against the actor, director and producer of the web series," he said. Expressing similar concerns, Manoj Kotak, a BJP leader has written a letter to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.In the letter, Manoj Kotak wrote, "It seems that the makers of Tandav have mocked Hindu gods and disrespected Hindu religious sentiments. I urge the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ban Tandav for the meantime."On January 4, Amazon Prime Video released the trailer of 'Tandav'.