Updated at 9 pm
NEW DELHI: The government will take a final view on release of the controversial movie The Da Vinci Code by Friday morning, by when it will receive comments from members of the Christian community.
"We have seen the movie along with members of the community and they will submit their views to us by noon on Thursday, after which the Central Board of Film Certification will analyze them and we will come out with a decision by evening," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said.
"If I have their views before noon (on Thursday), I will ask the CBFC to decide by evening. If (it is) a little late (by) Friday morning. Hopefully, CBFC will decide by Thursday evening," he added.
The government will not interfere in the matter, and go by the censor board’s decision, because of the issue’s sensitivity, Dasmunsi said.
Earlier, the government on Wednesday organised a special screening of the controversial movie for Christian organisations here that are opposing release of the film based on Dan Brown's novel, which contends Jesus married Mary Magdelene and had children.
Dasmunsi, I&B Ministry Secretary SK Arora and other government officials attended the special screening of the film while representatives of the Christian organisations joined them, to put forth their views on the movie.
Before the screening, Father Donald D'Souza, Deputy Secretary General of the Catholic Bishop Conference of India, said they were for a ban on the movie.
"We want a ban on the movie. However, for any other alternative, we have to first watch the movie and also see what kind of feedback the government gives us," he said.
Valsan Thampu of the National Commission for Minority Education, said: "I will look for possible objections with a broad mind. Art must maintain discipline and should have nothing that is historically or factually incorrect."
Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code contends that the Church covered up Jesus' marriage.
