Three detained by Neredmet police after VHP files complaint for screening 'Ram Ke Naam' documentary in cafe

HYDERABAD: Three people have been detained by the Neredmet police station on Saturday for screening 'Ram ke Naam'– a controversial documentary on the Babri Masjid demolition– at a cafe in Sainikpuri.

The screening was organised at Marley's Joint Bistro in Defence Colony by Hyderabad Cinephiles, a movie enthusiasts’ group which regularly showcases parallel cinema and documentaries in the city. Two members of the group Anand Singh and Parag Varma along with the cafe owner Srujan were taken into custody at around 9:30 pm following a complaint made by a member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad Ruthvik Pandrangi.

In his complaint, Ruthvik alleged that screening the documentary was illegal and that it was done deliberately to create a communal issue ahead of the Ram Mandir consecration on January 22. He also claimed that the group made derogatory statements against the VHP. The complainant also stated that he found a few “men with beards” at the screening, which made him suspicious.

Following the complaint, the police registered a case against Anand, Parag and others under section 290 (public nuisance), 295A (outraging the religious feelings) read with Section 34 (when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Those detained are still in custody and would be produced before the magistrate.