Web series row MP police books two Netflix officials

    Bhopal, Nov 23 (PTI) An FIR was registered in Madhya
Pradesh on Monday against two executives of OTT platform
Netflix for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through its
web series "A Suitable Boy" which showed kissing scenes
purportedly on the campus of a temple, an official said.
    The FIR has named Monika Shergill, Vice President,
Content (Netflix) and Ambika Khurana, Director, Public
Policies (Netflix), Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam
Mishra said.
    They are booked by Rewa police on a complaint filed by
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national secretary Gaurav
Tiwari who demanded apology from Netflix and makers of the
series, and removal of "objectionable scenes", which he stated
were also "encouraging love jihad".
    "I had asked officials to examine the series 'A
Suitable Boy' being streamed on Netflix to check if kissing
scenes in it were filmed in a temple and if it hurt religious
sentiments. The examination prima facie found that these
scenes are hurting the sentiments of a particular religion,"
Mishra said in a video statement.
    "On the basis of a complaint filed by Gaurav Tiwari,
an FIR is being registered under section 295 (A) (malicious
acts to outrage and insulting the religious feelings and
beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Rewa against
Netflix officials- Monika Shergill and Ambika Khurana," he
added.
    Rewa superintendent of police Rakesh Kumar Singh told
reporters that the FIR has been registered and further
investigation is underway.
    On Saturday, Gaurav Tiwari had submitted a memorandum
to the Rewa superintendent of police demanding an apology from
Netflix and makers of the series, and removal of
"objectionable scenes" from "A Suitable Boy".
    "Kissing scenes (filmed) inside a temple of Lord
Maheshwar (a historic town located on the banks of Narmada in
Madhya Pradesh) have hurt the sentiments of Hindus. This is
also encouraging 'love jihad'," Tiwari had stated.
    He had named Monika Shergill and Ambika Khurana in his
complaint application.
    The six-part Netflix series has been directed by
renowned filmmaker Mira Nair, who is known for her
critically-acclaimed films such as "Salaam Bombay", "Monsoon
Wedding" and "The Namesake". PTI CORR ADU MAS
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)