NEW DELHI, May 16 (UPI) -- India has delayed the opening of controversial Hollywood film "The Da Vinci Code" to investigate concerns raised by the Christian community.
Indian Informational and Broadcasting Minister Priyo Ranjan Dasmunshi has told the Central Board of Film Certification not to clear the film -- based on Dan Brown's bestselling novel of the same name -- for release until the government has seen and assessed it.
Dasmunshi said that he, along with the official representatives of the Catholic Church in India and a number of CBFC officials, would Wednesday view the film, due for worldwide release on May 19.
"I have received representations from 290 Christian organizations asking the government to satisfy itself before taking any decision on releasing the film," Dasmunshi said, adding that the ministry had also heard from Christian organizations who said they had no objections regarding the release of the film.
"But keeping in mind the sensitivities of the community, I have decided to take the view of the official representatives of the Catholic Church in India," the minister said.
Dasmunshi hinted that he was aware of a political conspiracy to destabilize the government by creating a controversy over the film, and said that a cautious approach was best with regard to controversial films.
The film will only be cleared for release when approved by the Catholic Church in India, the minister said.
The censor board, which has three Catholic members, Monday approved the film without any cuts, granting it an "A" certificate.
