In a move that has reignited controversy, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, an Islamic organisation, has filed petitions in multiple High Courts seeking to halt the release of the upcoming film ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’. The film, set to release on Friday, July 11, is based on the brutal killing of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by Islamic extremists in June 2022.
Confirming the development, the President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Arshad Madani, stated that the outfit has approached the High Courts of Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to prevent the film’s screening, alleging that it contains content that could incite communal tension and disturb public order.
The movie, starring noted actor Vijay Raaz in the lead role, recounts the shocking murder of Kanhaiya Lal, who was hacked to death in broad daylight by Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Mohammad Ghaus. The assailants had targeted Lal for supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma amid controversy over her alleged remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
Objections to the Film and Allegations of Blasphemy
Maulana Arshad Madani accused the filmmakers of including “blasphemous” content in the movie’s trailer, specifically referencing Nupur Sharma’s statements that had previously sparked national and international controversy.
“The trailer showcases objectionable remarks against the Prophet of Islam and his wives, which could lead to unrest and disrupt peace in the country,” Madani stated. He further alleged that the film portrays the Deoband seminary in a negative light and uses inflammatory language against Muslim scholars.
The Jamiat also raised objections over the film’s depiction of other sensitive issues, including the Gyanvapi dispute, claiming that such portrayals promote hatred against the Muslim community. “This content violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution,” Madani argued.
Potential for Law and Order Issues
In a veiled warning, the Jamiat leader suggested that the film’s release could trigger widespread unrest. “The film has the potential to disturb the communal fabric of the country,” he said, emphasising the need to ban its release to maintain peace.
About the Film: ‘Udaipur Files’
Directed and written by Bharat S. Shrinate and produced by Amit Jani, ‘Udaipur Files’ is distributed by Reliance Entertainment. Apart from Vijay Raaz, the film also features Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh, and Mushtaq Khan. The movie aims to depict the tragic sequence of events leading to the murder of Kanhaiya Lal and the ideological motivations behind the crime.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’s Controversial Legal History
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, headquartered in Deoband, has long been at the center of controversy for providing legal aid to individuals accused of serious terrorism-related charges. Since the formation of its legal cell in 2007 under Arshad Madani’s leadership, the outfit has taken up around 700 cases involving terror-accused individuals.
According to reports, the Jamiat’s legal interventions have led to the acquittal of at least 192 accused, often on grounds of technical lapses, lack of evidence, or shoddy police investigations rather than proven innocence.
The organisation has defended accused in several high-profile terror cases, including:
The 7/11 Mumbai train blasts
The 2006 Malegaon blasts
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks
The 2011 Mumbai triple blasts
The Ahmedabad serial blasts (2008)
The Jama Masjid blast case
In 2013, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind provided free legal assistance to Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Himayat Baig, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the German Bakery blast in Pune.
The outfit also controversially offered legal support to the accused in the brutal murder of Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari in Lucknow and defended alleged Al-Qaeda operatives arrested in Uttar Pradesh in 2021.
Most recently, in February 2022, the organisation announced legal aid for 49 individuals convicted for the deadly Ahmedabad bombings that killed 56 people and injured hundreds.
As legal battles over the release of ‘Udaipur Files’ intensify, the controversy shows the deep and continuing tensions between freedom of expression, religious sensitivities, and the larger national debate on terrorism and justice.
