Patna: Bihar Government on Thursday declared Aamir Khan starrer movie PK tax free. The move came a day after Uttar Pradesh State Government also declared it Tax Free.
Bihar CM Jitan Manjhi has reportedly accorded the Tax-free status to PK after his predecessor Nitish Kumar came out in support of the movie.
In a video uploaded to his Facebook page, Nitish Kumar was seen saying that there was nothing blasphemous in PK and the movie was against nothing but superstitions.
Jitan Manjhi further added that the movie has been tax exempted so that the poor of the state can watch the film and understand the message conveyed by it.
On Dec 31, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav also exempted the movie from taxes and said that he saw the film and found its contents thought-provoking.
In Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis also denied asking the police to determine if the movie offended religious sentiments.
Several right-wing groups have criticized PK and attacked some cinemas screening the movie, describing it objectionable, Anti-Hindu and blasphemous. They alleged that the movie hurts sentiments of Hindus by making “fun” of their gods and devotees.
Bajrang Dal has sought a nationwide ban on the movie. A PIL has also been filed in Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court seeking ban of the movie, the hearing of which is slated for next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, film’s director Rajkumar Hirani has appealed the protestors to watch the movie. “I appeal to the groups protesting against our film to see the film in totality and not just isolated scenes. Our intention is not to hurt anyone, or to discriminate against any religion.”, he said in an statement.