Veteran film writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, on Tuesday, hit back at the Madariya Sufi Foundation for allegedly threatening singer Sona Mohapatra to take down a music video.
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Mohapatra, in a series of tweets on Monday, had alleged that the foundation had sent her a notice to remove her latest video Tori Surat as it doesn’t conform with their norms of a ‘Sufi song’.
Dear @MumbaiPolice I have received a threatening notice from the Madariya Sufi Foundation to remove my music video Tori Surat from all communication mediums. They claim that the video is vulgar,will flare communal tensions.I need to know whom to write in my response to at ur end
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
The Madariya foundation along with the agreement of the Nizamuddin Dargah have an issue with the description of my Tori Surat music video, “earthy incarnations of the feminine Divine” & with “a sleeveless dress and body exposing dancers”. Basically with everything woman & free.
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
Dear @MumbaiPolice the Madariya Sufi foundation claims to work for Sufism,peace & universal brotherhood in their threatening notice to me. I ask you & #India ,what about the ‘sisterhood’?Why is it that in this day & age the women expected to cover up, not sing or dance in public
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
The last time I shared my phone number with the @MumbaiPolice was when I was getting rape, mutilation, death & acid attack threats during the Salman controversy. I am sorry to say that no real help or remedy came my way sir, @CPMumbaiPolice . Thankful I am safe despite the same.
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
The last time I shared my phone number with the @MumbaiPolice was when I was getting rape, mutilation, death & acid attack threats during the Salman controversy. I am sorry to say that no real help or remedy came my way sir, @CPMumbaiPolice . Thankful I am safe despite the same.
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
Javed Akhtar took to Twitter to condemn the organisation “in strongest possible words”.
“In strongest possible words I condemn those regressive and reactionary organisations who are threatening Sona Mahapatra for making a music video of Amir Khusrau’s Geet . These mullas should know that Amir Khusrau belongs to every Indian . He is not your property,” said the 73-year-old.
We have followed you. Request you to inbox your number. We will look into this on priority.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) April 30, 2018
In her tweets, Mohapatra claimed the foundation termed her video, Tori Surat, obscene and objectionable.
She alleged after giving the notice, they did not wait for her response and sent her threats through email. She claimed the foundation stated that her other video that came out five years ago, too, was inappropriate. “Mohapatra has submitted an application at Santacruz police station that the contention in the email received by her is incorrect. She said she has a certificate from the CBFC board for the content of her music video. The application is on record with the police,” said Paramjit Singh Dahiya, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 9.
In strongest possible words I condemn those regressive and reactionary organisations who are threatening Sona Mahapatra for making a music video of a Amir Khusrau ‘ Geet . These mullas should know that Amir Khusrau belongs to every Indian . He is not your property .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) May 1, 2018
“I am just happy the police responded immediately because I did not know who to go to and it is very intimidating to receive a threatening message… The police have promised to talk to the foundation and my lawyers will respond to their notice,” said Mohapatra to HT.
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Madariya Sufi Foundation is a trust working to promote Sufism, peace, justice and human rights.
The foundation focuses on research work of Sufi Saint Syed Badiuddin Zinda Shah Madar and his followers among others.
The earthy incarnations of the feminine divine ?https://t.co/CzhoCgVkZ6
)If this offends you, then please go live in your pre-historic cave. )
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) May 1, 2018
Sameer Boghani, president of the Madariya Sufi Foundation, said, “There is a certain format to represent Sufi culture and music. Mohapatra has gone ahead with the video without taking permission from the foundation.”