Film Titled ‘Manache Shlok’ is an Insult to Saintly Literature?

Mumbai, 7th October 2025: Producing a Marathi film under the same title as the sacred religious scripture ‘Manache Shlok’, authored by Rashtrasant Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami Maharaj, is tantamount to commercializing Hindu faith. This is a direct insult to Samarth Ramdas Swami himself. Using the name of a scripture that imparts the highest moral values merely for entertainment, commercial gain, and cheap publicity is an act of trampling on the religious sentiments of millions of devotees of Shri Ram and Samarth.

The Hindu community will never tolerate this desecration of its saintly tradition. If the film’s title is not changed immediately, the Hindu community will take to the streets in protest and will not allow the film to be released. The government and the Censor Board must take immediate and serious cognizance of this matter and take necessary action to remove the sacred name “Manache Shlok” from the film’s title, demanded Sunil Ghanwat, the Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh State Organizer for Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS).

Sunil Ghanwat further stated, “In this regard, the HJS has submitted a memorandum to the Government and the Censor Board, and legal notices will also be sent to the concerned parties. In the name of freedom of expression, would anyone dare to make a film using the names of holy books like the Quran or the Bible? And even if they did, would the Censor Board permit it? Then why are only Hindu religious sentiments repeatedly hurt? In the past, films like ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Vishwaroopam’ were banned in several states for hurting the sentiments of Christians and Muslims, respectively. If a law and order situation arises concerning this film, the producers, director, and the Censor Board will be held entirely responsible.”

Shri Ghanwat added, “The Supreme Court, in the case of Lal Babu Priyadarshi v. Amritpal Singh [(2015) 16 SCC 795], has clearly stated that names of holy scriptures like the ‘Ramayana’ cannot be monopolized for commercial gain. According to this principle, using the title ‘Manache Shlok’ for a film is against both law and morality. As per Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), deliberately insulting religious feelings is a serious, cognizable, and non-bailable offense. Furthermore, under Section 5-B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, it is the responsibility of the Censor Board not to certify any film that endangers social harmony and morality.”

In conclusion, Shri Ghanwat stated that the title ‘Manache ShloK’ must be withdrawn from the film immediately and unconditionally. The Central and State governments should enact strict legislation to prevent such misuse of religious symbols in the future.