MUMBAI: The remark, " Kya re, Alibaug se aaya kya? (Have you come from Alibaug?)", ridicules the people of the seaside town by projecting them as "illiterates who do not have common sense", said a

in the Bombay high court and sought to stop its use in film, theatre, television serials and stand-up comedy.

The PIL filed by businessman Rajendra Thakur, a resident of Satirje village and son of former Congress MLA Madhukar Thakur, added: "This sarcastic description of the people of Alibaug is humiliating and insulting, which has the effect of suggesting that the people of Alibaug are good for nothing." Thakur pointed out whenever he attends any business meeting, "he has to listen to this offending dialogue as if he doesn't understand business properly".

"This projection of illiteracy on Alibaug people is always denoted by a dialogue in Hindi language, ' Kya re, Alibaug se aaya kya?' and in

, ' Kai re, Alibaug varun aala kay?' in an absolutely derogatory manner which hurts the sentiments of the people in Alibaug," said his petition. The PIL is reminiscent of a failed plea in the Supreme Court a couple of years ago, calling for a ban on the Santa-Banta jokes.

'Alibaug remark has made us a laughing stock’

The PIL says Alibaug has weekend homes of the “rich and famous”, including top actors, cricketers and industrialists.

It adds, “The petitioner states that this offending dialogue has made the people of Alibaug a laughing stock.” Thakur says he discussed the matter with his relatives, friends and villagers, all of whom said something needs to be done to restrict the remark. He urged the court to direct the state directorate of cultural affairs and the Central Board of Film Certification “to stop the use of the offending dialogue in films, documentaries, TV serials, comedy shows etc in future and pending hearing a final disposal not to grant a certificate”. On Wednesday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Naresh Patil posted the hearing after two weeks.