PIL filed before Delhi High Court against Paresh Rawal movie The Taj Story

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court against the movie ‘The Taj Story’ which stars actor Paresh Rawal.

The movie is slated for release on October 31.

However, it has been embroiled in controversy after the release of its poster showing of a statue of Lord Shiva emerging from the Taj Mahal's dome. The poster reignited the fringe theory that the monument was originally a Hindu temple. 

The PIL filed by advocate Shakeel Abbas alleges that the film presents fabricated and provocative content regarding the Taj Mahal’s origins, asserting a perspective that is contrary to established history and scholarly consensus.

Therefore, the plea has sought a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to review the certificate granted to the film or make required cuts to protect the communal harmony in the country. The plea has also demanded that the movie must contain a disclaimer that it is dealing with a contested narrative. 

As per the petition, the film’s speculative assertions could erode faith in historical scholarship, provoke communal unrest, and damage the international reputation of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

“That it is indicated that the movie contains deeply divisive scenes that could provoke communal tensions and disturb peace in society. That the film has amplified controversial statements time to time by the BJP leaders and other Hindutva Organizations, which may spark communal unrest nationwide,” the plea states.