UP CM 'downloads' PK, lands in piracy row

An inadvertent slip by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav while declaring  Bollywood hit PK as tax free has not only earned him criticism on the social media but a social activist has also moved an application for lodging an FIR, accusing him of piracy.

"People had been telling me for many days to watch PK. I downloaded it a few days ago, but only found the time to watch it last night. I liked it immediately and decided to make it tax-free so that more people can watch it," Yadav had said while declaring the film as tax free during a press conference on Wednesday.

Founder of TAHRIR (Transparency, Accountability and Human Rights Initiative for Revolution) Sanjay Sharma has moved an application with the Hazratganj Police on Friday requesting it to lodge an FIR under Section 154 of the CrPC against Yadav for the offence of downloading the film

from a website and watching a pirated copy of the film.

On Twitter too, the chief minister faced criticism for overlooking piracy laws.

"Akhilesh Yadav spprts piracy by wtchng PK after downloading it. It's a federal crime 2 download a film. I&B ministry shd take actn.#PKdebate (sic)," reads a tweet.

The chief minister's office also took to Twitter to react to the controversy. "#UPCM #Akhileshyadav has licensed @UFOMoviez digifacility to download & watch movies. Controversy around pirated download is unwarranted (sic)," said the tweet.

Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary, when contacted, said those raising a controversy over the issue are more interested in suppressing the message given by the chief minister.

"By making it tax free, the chief minister has given a message to those opposing the film over unnecessary issues... His aim is good and in favour of communal harmony and brotherhood," Chaudhary said, adding that there was nothing wrong in it.