Bombay HC issues notices to Big B, Sony TV for 'insulting' Netaji

The Bombay High Court today issued notices to megastar Amitabh Bachchan and entertainment Channel Sony Television in response to a PIL which challenged a promo in popular quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' saying it has insulted and maligned the slogan 'Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi doonga', coined by Subhash Chandra Bose.

The notices were issued by Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice G S Godbole who asked the Bollywood actor, anchor of the show, and Sony TV Channel to file reply by July 28.

The court also asked the petitioner to make the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as Advertisement Standard Council of India as respondents.

Counsel for Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Rui Rodrigues argued that the promo was not derogatory but was funny and it argued the examining committee had gone into it before clearing the same.

The PIL, filed by Mukesh Sharma, said there were six scenes in Hindi which were meant to promote the reality show, 'Kaun Banega Crorepati-4' and increase its TRP.

However, he found them insulting, defamatory and maligning the slogan given to the nation by the freedom fighter who had played an important role in fighting the erstwhile British regime.

The PIL said it was surprising why the legendary actor did not recuse himself from playing his act in the promo.

Of the six scenes from the promo, five are insulting and derogatory to Netaji's slogan. Some scenes in the promo show people were unaware about the slogan and Netaji's role in the freedom struggle, the PIL said.

On the sets of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', Bachchan asks a child: "Who said this? You give me blood and I will give you freedom." The child replies: "You said this just now" and then stops, confused. Bachchan tells him, "You must have heard this somewhere?"

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