Hindu group protests in Meerut, demands release of ‘Udaipur Files’

Earlier on Thursday, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of 'Udaipur Files', scheduled to hit the screens on July 11, till the Centre decides the pleas seeking its permanent ban for its potential to "promote disharmony" in society.

Meerut: Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Sangathan members staged a protest here on Friday and demanded the release of the film ‘Udaipur Files’, which was halted following a Delhi High Court order. The organisation’s national president, Sachin Sirohi, said the first show was scheduled at 5 pm at a local mall, where his organisation had booked 17 tickets.

“Just before the screening, we were informed that the Delhi High Court had stayed the film’s release and the Central government will decide whether it can be shown,” he said. “The film brings out the truth behind the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. This is not just a film, it is reality and 1.1 billion Hindus should see it,” Sirohi added. He said their demand had also been forwarded to the mall’s head office and urged the Centre to make the film tax-free.

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Earlier on Thursday, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of ‘Udaipur Files’, scheduled to hit the screens on July 11, till the Centre decides the pleas seeking its permanent ban for its potential to “promote disharmony” in society.

A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal directed the petitioners to approach the Centre within two days with their grievance. The film is based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case.

Udaipur-based tailor Lal was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous. The assailants had later released a video claiming that the murder was in reaction to the tailor allegedly sharing a social media post in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma after her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed.

The case was probed by the National Investigation Agency, and the accused were booked underthe stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) besides provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The trial is pending before the Special NIA court in Jaipur.