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Published: Friday February 1, 2013 MYT 10:06:00 AM
Updated: Friday February 1, 2013 MYT 12:05:56 PM

MIC wants Home Ministry to talk to groups to lift Viswaroopam ban

By RAHIMY RAHIM


PETALING JAYA: The MIC has appealed to the Home Ministry to talk to local Indian Muslim groups and find a solution to lift the ban on the controversial film Viswaroopam.

Central working committee member K.P. Samy said in a statement that lifting the ban would make fans of Kamal Hassan (the movie's director) and Malaysian Indians believe that the ban was not due to any bad intention on the part of the government.

“Being a strong supporter of Barisan Nasional, I request that the minister have a dialogue with the Indian Muslim movement and find an amicable solution and lift the ban as soon as possible," he said.

Samy joined the call by Hindraf Makkal Sakti to allow the screening of the movie.

It was reported that the Film Censorship Board had initially approved Viswaroopam and Lotus Fivestar AV started screening the movie on Jan 24.

The approval, however, was withdrawn the next day following a Home Ministry directive.

The board's control and enforcement division secretary Razak Derahman said the movie was suspended on the minister's orders.

Samy said the movie was banned in Tamil Nadu due to strong opposition by the Indian Muslim groups over elements deemed sensitive to Muslims.

“Currently, the movie is screened in parts of Tamil Nadu particularly, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, Karnataka and North India,” he said.

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