Charlie Chaplin | Udupi | Moral Policing | BJP | Hindu Jagarna Vedike | Housefull

Udupi, Mar 15: A group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists blocked the installation of comedy legend Charlie Chaplin's statue in Udupi of Karnataka saying it would hurt 'Hindu' sentiment.

The statue was erected for the shooting of Kannada movie 'Housefull' by Hemant Hegde and was meant for a song sequence. Later Udupi Hindu Jagarna Vedike (a local group affiliated to BJP) leader Suresh Bhagwadi and his team of activists stopped the film crew from going ahead claiming that the land on which the statue is being erected belonged to the Someshwara temple saying that the team does not have permission. He said erecting Chaplin's statue who is a Christian will hurt Hindu sentiments, instead should erect statue of Swami Vivekananda.

Read: ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ / தமிழில்

But the film director claims to have sought permission from the local administration for the construction. Udupi Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha admitted that Hegde and his team had discussed the shooting schedule and had sought permission for the statue.

It seems moral policing is gaining its roots in Karnataka. After the Mangalore pub attack, disruption of valentine's day its now Charlie Chaplin the Hindu Brigade's new target claiming Chaplin a 'Christian and not Indian'. With no stringent measures and government apathy what seems farcical today could become tragically real tomorrow.

OneIndia News

User Comments

M Kumar 15 Mar 2009 09:51 pm

Heights of insanity. These misinformed youngsters ( I certainly hope these are not regular BJP party members or supported by BJP leaders - then they should be disqualified to be a political party) do not have any meaningful goal to achieve in life and perhaps think this is their only shot at fame and importance. Ask them seriously what represents Indian culture, they will be at loss define it. Many of them, I am sure, neither dress in any traditional Indian attire nor can speak in any native Indian tongue fluently. They will not have full knowledge of any one Indian scripture or full story of any one Indian Epic. Most of them may not be productively employed. Just being directed by some selfish, narrow intrepretation of culture or simply by a madman's itch for control. May be even hired goons. Let them first show what contribution they made to society or atleast that they are earning their livelihood in a right legal manner, and then claim thier right to preach others. Mr. Advani, you have worked a life time to earn respect and perhaps eligibility to lead this country. For goodness, assure us you will not have this agend if you come to govern this country. Assure us that you will keep aside personal and cultural agenda and will strictly go by agreed constitutional means and goals.