The bench also asked the Tamil Nadu government to specify the measures taken to provide adequate security for screening in cinema halls story of kerala, file | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Supreme Court on Friday challenged the West Bengal government to justify its decision to ban the screening of the film. story of keralaAsking why it considers itself different from other geographically similar states across the country which are showing the controversial film.
The film has come under attack from critics, who have accused its makers of defaming the entire Muslim community, especially Muslim youth, with a “malicious propaganda” claiming that young women in Kerala are being forced to fall in love with so-called ‘love boys’. Jihad’ and smuggled into West Asia. to join the ISIS terrorist Islamic group.
“The film is being shot in different parts of the country, which have a demographic profile similar to that of West Bengal. why you [West Bengal government] Won’t let the film run? It has nothing to do with the artistic value of the film… It may be good art or it may be bad art, but that is irrelevant. If the public does not find the film worth watching, they will not watch it,” said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud while addressing the West Bengal government.
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red alert in tamilnadu
The filmmakers, represented by senior advocate Harish Salve, have sought quashing of the ban imposed on the film by the state government under Section 6(1) of the West Bengal Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1954. Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd also accused the Tamil Nadu government of hatching a conspiracy “In fact” Banning the release of the film by issuing a red alert, the filmmakers said that theaters have backed away from showing the film due to the fear of violence.
Chief Justice Chandrachud told Tamil Nadu’s Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari, “We want to know from you what steps you have taken… State governments cannot look the other way when people attack cinema halls and burn chairs.” Are.”
Mr Tiwari said the allegations leveled against the state are baseless as no official ban has been imposed on the film.
Issuing notices to both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and directing them to file their respective responses, the bench listed the matter for further hearing on May 17.
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Issuing notices to both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and directing them to file their respective responses, the bench listed the matter for further hearing on May 17.
‘Fear of breach of the peace’
Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for West Bengal, said that the matter should not be entertained by the apex court. It had earlier, in two separate orders, refused to intervene in multiple challenges against story of kerala, The apex court had on two previous occasions asked the petitioners to approach the respective high courts.
“You should follow your discipline in this matter as well. There is no reason why the filmmakers cannot approach the High Courts… We have serious apprehensions of breach of peace,” submitted Mr. Singhvi.
“The film has released in the rest of the country and West Bengal is no different from any other part of the country. If the film can run peacefully in other parts of the country, why would the state of West Bengal ban the film?” Chief Justice Chandrachud asked.