``The distributor made a compromise. He will not run Fire. Because we'll resume our demonstration, if they to show it again. Our senior leaders have decided that we won't allow its screening in India,'' he said. The Delhi distributor of Fire, Sanjay Mehta, could not be contacted for comment. But the Anupam PVR management maintained that it was the cinema-hall owners who had individually decided not to screen the film. The distributor was informed later about the decision.

The Shiv Sena member of Rajya Sabha today attacked the Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for not taking a serious look at the film. Asked why Shiv Sena had not taken up the issue in Parliament or go for legal action, Pardhan said, ``Why go to court? When do you get a decision from the court? It would have taken years. And nobody would have taken notice had it been a peaceful demonstration''!

The Shiv Sena took an opposition stand when the Congress demonstration led to the ban of the play Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy earlier this year. ``We opposed the ban because that is part of our history. But this (the undertones of lesbianism in Fire) is neither part of our history or our culture''.

He, however, could not elaborate on who gave the Shiv Sena, which runs a state government in alliance with BJP, the right to delineate Indian culture. ``Shabana Azmi is a member of Rajya Sabha. How can she be shown involved in a lesbian relationship? University students will start taking her as a role model. No American state will allow the screening of such a film in family theatres. It is sensitive issue. But the producer should himself withdraw the film''.