New Delhi: Justifying its decision to postpone the release of PM modi biopic, the Election Commission on Tuesday said to the Supreme Court of India that the content and dramatization of the character was such that its screening before the last phase of voting on May 19 “will tilt the electoral balance of the particular political party.”
A committee of EC watched the movie and submitted its decision through senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi to a bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
The apex court had directed the EC to share its report with the makers of the movie, who had challenged the commission's decision to ban its release despite getting the nod of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC).
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The report of the EC said, “The committee is of the considered view that the public screening of the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ during the period of model code of conduct will tilt the electoral balance of the particular political party, therefore, the public screening of the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ should not be allowed till last date of poll on May 19 in the ongoing elections.”
In its 20 page report submitted to the Supreme Court by the EC, it also said, “Eulogising of the character Narendra Modi is very clear right through the movie. More than biography, it is hagiography. There are several scenes depicting a major opposition party as corrupt and showing them in poor light. Their leaders have been depicted in such a manner that their identification is clear and obvious to the viewers.”