Netflix series shows Hindu girl and Muslim boy kissing in temple; lands in controversy

A scene from ‘A Suitable Boy’ series which shows a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy kissing inside a temple has stirred controversy among users.

Soon after the scene surfaced online, the trend #BoycottNetflix began on Twitter. The Hindu and Muslim characters are played by Tanya Maniktala and Kabir Durrani, respectively. A complaint regarding the issue was registered by National President of BJP’s Yuva Morcha, Gaurav Tiwari, following which BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra sought action against Netflix, alleging the company of ‘hurting religious sentiments.’ Tweeting in support of the trend against Netflix on Twitter, BJP leader Gaurav Goel said, “If any OTT platform is deliberately insulting the Hindu Gods & Goddess, pls file the complaint with the police or local court under Section 295A of IPC. The law will take care of such offenders. In case of any assistance you can contact me or @chakusameer.” Meanwhile, actor Rahul Mahajan mentioned, “A Muslim man kissing a Hindu woman during the Ram Aarti was ‘creative freedom.’ But when a Hindu man and Muslim women would kiss in a mosque during Azaan, this creative freedom would go missing.”

‘A Suitable Boy’, directed by Mira Nair, is the screen adaptation of Vikram Seth’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The series released on Netflix on October 23. Ishaan Khatter, Tabu, Tanya Maniktala and Rasika Dugal are also seen in significant roles in the series.