Prayagraj: Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati formally announced on Thursday the setting up of a 10-member “Dharm (religion) Censor Board” that will “keep an eye on films that insult Hindu deities and culture, and oppose their release”.

Documentaries, web series and other mediums of entertainment will also be screened by this board to check “attacks” on Sanatan culture in the name of films. The board is headed by Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati himself.

Talking to reporters at the Shankaracharya camp at the Magh Mela here on Thursday, Avimukteshwaranand said: “We have released the board’s guideline. Many veterans associated with the field of religion-culture have been included in it. At present I am handling the responsibility of chairmanof this board.”

He further said, “This board will act as a guide to prevent any kind of filming or broadcast of video or audio insulting Hindu gods and goddesses or cursing the culture. Steps would be taken through the board to stop the production of films that insult Hindu deities. Production of films, series and serials distorting Sanatan culture for cheap popularity will not be tolerated.”

Explaining the functioning of the board, he said: “It has been created to help the Censor Board and the government. The board will contact all filmmakers and directors making serials and series and inform them in this regard. Despite this, if films and serials that are anti-Hindu and that hurt the faith are made, an appeal will be made to Hindu society not to watch them. Along with this, if needed, protests will also be lodged through different mediums.”

The other nine members of the “censor board” include Suresh Manchanda (a media veteran), PN Mishra (senior advocate, Supreme Court), Swami Chakrapani Ji Maharaj (strong supporter of Sanatan Dharma), Mansi Pandey (actress), Tarun Rathi (vice-president, UP Film Development Council), Capt Arvind Singh Bhadauria (specialist in social issues), Preeti Shukla (Sanskrit culture), Gargi Pandit (expert in Sanatan dharma) and Dharamveer (expert in history, archaeology and former ASI director).