While there were many who applauded for a wonderful piece of work in form of Slumdog Millionaire, there were activitists, who had filed petition stating the the word ‘slumdog’ used for slum dwellers is derogatory and offensive. However, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the petition by saying that the film is an eye opener and we should accept the fact that there is a bitter truth in the slum areas.

“The film has furnished us with tools and inspiration needed to cope with momentous problems faced by slum dwellers, poverty, police excesses, blinding of boys and so on,” Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan said.

Mr. Radhakrishnan watched the movie himself before passing the judgment.

He further added that “We shall not entertain an orthodox view when we see a film of this nature. We must give a vast area of creative art to interpret true life and society”.

In the order issued last week, the judges discarded an argument by social worker Meena Jagtap that the word ‘slumdog’ used for slum dwellers is derogatory and offensive. Instead, the court hailed Boyle’s film for exposing the hidden talent of slum dwellers and their ability of observation.

He said, “The slum boy whether he is called as an underdog or slumdog is not portrayed as inferior to anyone, but has been highlighted and depicted as a jewel from the slums of Mumbai, who has risen to win a fortune. We therefore, hold that the title `Slumdog Millionaire’ is not intended to deny any public decency or morality or defamatory to slum-dwellers”.

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