Sony music files caveat

Sony Music has filed a caveat in Mumbai City Civil Court, in connection with the yet-to-be released Hindi film song “Hosanna,” which has sparked protests from Catholic community and Christian organisations.

Last week, Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) moved an application to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking removal of the word “Hosanna,” a liturgy sung in praise of God by Jewish and Christian communities, world over.

Fearing that CSF may move the court seeking a stay or an injunction or any other ad-interim relief, Sony Music on Saturday filed a caveat, informing the micro-community organisation spearheading the protest that without intimating the music company no application can be moved.

Meanwhile in its notice to Censor Board, CSF has urged the authority to invoke Section 5(B) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 which specifies the principles that needs to be taken cognizance of while certifying films.

Moreover, CSF argued that the principles laid down under the Section 5(B) sub-section (1) mentioned includes “…public decency or morality,” for denying certification or withdrawal of certification of any film.

The organisation has also written to the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry asking it to intervene and issue directions to Censor Board in this regard citing the Cinematograph Act.

Meanwhile, Fox Star Studio, RS Infotainment and Photon Khataas along with Sony Music in a written communication to CSF stated that neither the music director A. R. Rahman nor the lyricist Javed Akhtar, “intended to insult or hurt any individual or organisations’ religious sentiments or beliefs.”

CSF general secretary Joseph Dias said that “…intentional or not the use of “Hosanna,” is sacrilegious to the religious sentiments of Jews and Christians across the world. But Censor Board seems to be more interested in catering to the interests of film fraternity rather than masses.”