The All Sikkim Monks' Association on Saturday joined other Buddhist organisations in appealing against the release of the Nepali film Kabaddi 4: The Final Match in Sikkim to protest the assault on a monk by one of the actresses of the movie during a promotional event in Kathmandu last month.

The association said till Miruna Magar, one of the two lead actresses, apologises to monk Phurba Lama, the movie should not be allowed to release in Sikkim.

Magar allegedly slapped Lama at a film promotional event at a Kathmandu mall. She had said she did so as he touched her inappropriately in the mall.

Karma Chopel Bhutia, a spokesman of the association, said there was no evidence of Lama touching Magar inappropriately. “She must either apologise to the monk or provide evidence of his alleged misconduct. Till that happens, we request everybody, including the government, against allowing the release of the film in theatres in Sikkim,” he said.

The association said it was not calling for a ban on the release of the film, but only appealing to people against watching the film till the matter was settled in Nepal. “By slapping Lama in public, the actress hurt the sentiments of all monks who live and die by our red robes,” Bhutia said.

Following the slapping incident, a complaint was lodged with Nepal police against Lama, who was subsequently arrested. He was released on bail on payment of Rs 3,000 Nepali rupees.

The incident led to protests in Kathmandu and posters of the film were burnt by mobs. But the film's scheduled release in Nepal was not disrupted and it is running for the second week in theatres in Nepal. Reports said the film is doing roaring business and earned Rs 13 crore in its first week of release.

Earlier, Sikkim Lama Association had also urged the state authorities not to allow the film’s release in Sikkim. Buddhist cleric Ondi Pinto had warned that if the film was released, lamas would take to the streets.

The film, which also stars Nepal's prominent actor Dayahang Rai, is a joint production of the Nepal-based Basuri Films and Sikkim-based Sushma Productions.

The Sikkim government is yet to weigh in with its thoughts on the controversy. Calls to Sonam Lama, Sikkim's minister for ecclesiastical department went unanswered.

Sikkim has a seat, Sangha, reserved for Buddhist monks in the 32-member Assembly. The ecclesiastical minister is a Sangha MLA, who is elected by a body of monks.