Several women’s rights organisations protested against controversial film director Ram Gopal Varma in Visakhapatnamon Monday, and demanded his arrest over the short film God, Sex and Truth.
The activists, under the banner of the Mahila Sanghala Ikya Vedika, said that they would launch a 48-hour hunger strike, if their demands were not met.
They also complained about the 'slow-moving pace' of the police case filed against the director, over the film.
Addressing reporters in the city, M Laxmi from the Progressive Organisation of Women said that there was enough proof to move forward with a case, and book RGV.
“Despite, we lodging a complaint with the District Collector in Visakhapatnam and the Police Commissioner and filing a complaint in a police station, no action has been initiated against the director... on the other hand Telangana government has not only booked cases under IT Act , but also booked cases under the IPC. However, the Vizag police is yet to react," Laxmi was quoted as saying.
Last month, several women led by All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) shouted slogans against RGV, and burned his effigy at the GVMC Gandhi statue in the coastal city.
The protesters also accused the director of using abusive words against women in one of his recent interviews with a Telugu TV news channel.
Mahila Morcha, the women’s wing of the BJP has also demanded a ban on the film, as state executive member, K Nagalakshmi, filed a complaint in Vijayawada with the Suryaraopet police.
Ever since Ram Gopal Varma, released the trailer of God, Sex and Truth, which he directed with American porn star Mia Malkova, many have protested the ‘nude’ scenes in the film. The film was shot with Malkova in Europe.
Earlier this week, the filmmaker appeared before the Hyderabad police following a case of obscenity booked against him.
A five-member team questioned Varma about the allegations made against him by women activists. After questioning, he was again asked to appear before the police next week.
The activists alleged that Varma released the movie on the web to avoid certification by the authorities.