BJP Leaders Allege ‘Tandav’ Hurts Hindu Sentiments; Call for Ban

They have also urged Union Minister Prakash Javdekar to regulate content on OTT platforms.

BJP leaders have called for a ban on Ali Abbas Zafar's Amazon Prime Video web series Tandav for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The political drama, which stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in lead roles, released on the streaming platform on 15 January. The BJP leaders appear to have taken offence at a scene in which Zeeshan Ayyub's character performs a play as Shiva.

In a series of tweets, Ram Kadam, a BJP leader from Mumbai, complained that Saif Ali Khan had participated in a show that hurts the sentiments of Hindus. He also demanded that the scene "mocking Shiva" should be removed and that Zeeshan Ayyub, who features in the scene, apologise. He called for a boycott of the show until his demands were met.

शिव का मजाक बनाने वाला हिस्सा हटाना होगा। एक्टर जीशान अयूब को माफ़ी मांगना होगा। जब तक जरूरी बदलाव नही होते तब तक तांडव का बहिष्कार किया जाएगा। #BanTandavNow

— Ram Kadam - राम कदम (@ramkadam) January 17, 2021

Kadam also tweeted on 17 January that he was on his way to the Ghatkopar Chiragnagar police station to "file an FIR against the creators, directors and actors of the web series regarding the desecration of Hindu deities."

तांडव वेब सिरीज मालिके मध्ये झालेल्या हिंदु देव देवतांच्या विटंबनेच्या संदर्भात हिंदूच्या दुखावलेल्या भावने विरोधात मी या वेब सिरीज च्या निर्माता, दिगर्दरशक, अभिनेता यांच्या विरोधात FRI दाखल करण्यासाठी घाटकोपर चिरागनगर पोलिस ठाणे येथे 12. 30 जाणार आहेत.

— Ram Kadam - राम कदम (@ramkadam) January 17, 2021

In a separate tweet he tagged information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javdekar and asked that content on OTT platforms be reviewed by a censor board similar to that of television programmes and films.

जैसे फ़िल्म और सीरियल की समीक्षा करने के लिए सेंसर बोर्ड की व्यवस्था है, वैसी ही व्यवस्था OTT प्लेटफार्म के सिरिज़ की समीक्षा के लिए बनाई जाए यह मांग करता हुआ पत्र श्री @PrakashJavdekar जी को लिख रहा हूँ

— Ram Kadam - राम कदम (@ramkadam) January 17, 2021

MP Manoj Kotak echoed Kadam's sentiment writing, "OTT platforms having absolute freedom from censorship has led to repeated attacks on Hindu sentiments which I strongly condemn." He posted a photo of a letter he had written to Prakash Javdekar requesting that "OTT content be regulated in the interest of integrity of India." In the letter he said that the "makers of Tandav has deliberately mocking Hindu gods and disrespect Hindu religious sentiments (sic)."

OTT Platforms having absolute freedom from censorship has led to repeated attacks on Hindu sentiments which I strongly condemn.spoke to hon.@PrakashJavdekar ji & requested that OTT content be regulated in the interest of integrity of India & we are fast moving in that direction.

— Manoj Kotak (@manoj_kotak) January 16, 2021

My letter to Hon.minister @PrakashJavdekar ji regarding regulation of the OTT platforms pic.twitter.com/twwI6OP4iM

— Manoj Kotak (@manoj_kotak) January 17, 2021

Former MLA and BJP member Kapil Mishra claimed that Tandav was "anti Dalit" and "full of communal hatred against Hindus". He too urged his followers to complain to Prakash Javdekar.

Tandav is anti Dalit and full of communal hatred against Hindus

Please write to @PrakashJavdekar ji

Email : [e-mail]#BanTandavNow

— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) January 16, 2021

BJP Chandigarh spokesperson Gaurav Goel wrote to the Director General of Police seeking the arrest of the shows makers.

Complaint against Tandav Series to DGP.#ArrestTeamTandav@aajtak @indiatvnews @IndiaToday @ABPNews @aajtak @ZeeNewsEnglish @republic @CNNnews18 @CNNnews18 @ndtv @TimesNow @pradip103 @CNBCTV18News @NewsNationTV @Zee_Hindustan @NewsNationTV @News18UP @DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/TVrfl3nn7B

— Gaurav Goel (@goelgauravbjp) January 17, 2021

Movies like Manikarnika, Border, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Kesri, Bajirao Mastani, Tanaji will always inspire the generations to come.

But some element of bollywood has surely nefarious plans for the Hindus and our country.

Johar and his gang#BoycottBollywood@KanganaTeam

— Gaurav Goel (@goelgauravbjp) January 17, 2021