Tandav’s makers apologise as clamour to ban series grows

Makers of web series Tandav, who are facing police action, issued an unconditional apology on Monday and said they did not intend to offend sentiments of any caste, community or religion — a statement that came in the backdrop of growing criticism by a section of politicians, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who argued that the drama streaming on Amazon Prime Video depicted Hindu gods in a bad light.

The statement by the makers also said the information and broadcasting ministry (I&B) told them about “a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series”. “The cast and crew of Tandav take cognisance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologise if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments,” it said.

Late on Sunday, police in Lucknow registered a first information report, or FIR, on a complaint by sub-inspector Amar Nath Yadav at the Hazratganj Kotwali police station against Aparna Purohit, the head of Amazon’s India head of original content, director Ali Abbas, and producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra, among others, on charges of promoting enmity between different groups and insulting a religion.

In the political arena too, the show faced intense criticism. In Madhya Pradesh, home minister Narottam Mishra threatened to initiate legal action. Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam called for a boycott of the series, while Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra said he sent a legal notice for the show’s immediate removal.

AMRITSAR: No spectators will be allowed on the Indian side of the Attari-wagah joint checkpost on Republic Day in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, officials familiar with the matter said on Monday.

A Border Security Force (BSF) official said that a decision is yet to be taken on whether the coordinated parade with Pakistan will be held this year or not.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no spectator will be allowed to enter the joint check post (JCP) at Attari this Republic Day. But we have yet to decide our programme, including the parade ceremony, to celebrate the day on the border,” said a senior Punjab BSF official, requesting anonymity.

The joint parade was held on Independence Day last year.

Another BSF official said that while they are yet to receive a programme for Republic Day, it is likely that the parade will be held. Celebrations for the Republic Day may be similar to the beating the retreat ceremony which was held in August without any spectators, the official said.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak in March last year, only a flag-lowering ceremony is conducted at sunset on the Indian side of the border.