Prakash Jha is fuming. The Dalit Suraksha Samiti has opposed the casting of Saif Ali Khan as a Dalit in his film Aarakshan as reported 'Casting ouch' (Hitlist, May 13). The reason for their opposition was the actor's royal lineage.

Jha states, "The argument of the Dalit Suraksha Samiti is absurd and totally goes against the spirit of freedom and equality. The letter they sent us did not have an address, it only stated that it was from Kanpur.

How does one send them a reply without any address? So we thought it best to send them an open letter, and communicate to them through the media. I want them to understand that their opposition to the film is baseless."