Actor Chetan Kumar | Photo courtesy: K. Murali Kumar
Actor and social activist Chetan Kumar has criticised the state government for banning the screening of the film. Our TwelveThis decision was taken after objection from Muslim organizations.
At a press conference in Shivamogga on Saturday, Chetan Kumar said the government’s decision was an attack on freedom of expression. When the censor board had cleared the film after several cuts, the state government should not have banned the film. “The government is doing the politics of appeasement. There is no need to ban it. The film should be shown and the public should give their feedback. If anyone has any objection to the film, they should bring it before the censor board,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that the government took this decision based only on the film’s trailer. “There are many films that glorify crime and exploitation of women. Many people facing trial for criminal activities often said that they were influenced by films. If we go by that logic, we will have to ban every film. When there is a separate system called the censor board, the government should not interfere,” he said.
The actor also demanded the state government to release the data of the socio-economic survey conducted by the Backward Classes Commission. He sought to know, “It has been several months since the report was submitted to the Chief Minister. Why has Siddaramaiah not released it to the public.” He urged the Chief Minister to release the data and launch programmes for the benefit of the socially and educationally backward sections of the society.
Mr. Chetan Kumar said that during his visit to Tirthahalli, he observed that there are 23 families of the nomadic tribe Domburu in the town who do not have any proper place to live. Despite repeated demands, they have not got land to build houses. He said, “One acre of land has been identified for them. But, it has not been allotted. I demand the State government to give land to the nomadic tribes.”
