The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to urgently list a petition seeking a stay on the release of actor Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story, which is set to hit theatres on Friday. The movie has drawn controversy after its poster depicted a statue of Lord Shiva emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal.
A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela refused the petitioner’s request for an urgent hearing. “Why today? When was the certification issued? It will be auto-listed. Sorry,” the Chief Justice said, rejecting the plea for early listing.
The petition, filed by advocate Shakeel Abbas, alleged that the film contains “fabricated and provocative content” about the origins of the Taj Mahal and sought a stay on its release in the present form. Abbas also urged the court to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to review the certificate granted to the movie or impose cuts necessary to maintain communal harmony.
He further sought a direction for the film to carry a disclaimer clarifying that it portrays a contested historical narrative.
According to the petition, The Taj Story is “based on fabricated facts and propaganda” and “spreads manipulated history and misinformation.” It claimed that releasing the film without modifications could “erode faith in historical scholarship, provoke communal unrest, and damage the international reputation of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
“The movie contains deeply divisive scenes that could provoke communal tensions and disturb peace in society. The film has amplified controversial statements time to time by BJP leaders and other Hindutva organizations,” the plea alleged.
