New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing on May 12 a plea by the makers of ‘The Kerala Story’ challenging the West Bengal government’s decision to ban the film’s exhibition in the state.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the filmmakers, mentioned the plea for urgent listing, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to hear it on Friday.
“We are losing money every day and now there is another state that says it will do the same,” Salve said.
The CJI said, “Okay list on Friday, serve copies on the State of West Bengal.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an immediate ban on the screening of the film in the state “to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state”.
The producers argued that the state government had no power to ban a film certified by the Central Board of Film Certification for public viewing.
The filmmakers’ plea states that the state government cannot cite law and order issues to stop the film’s exhibition, which would result in violation of fundamental rights.
He also alleged that the film is facing a ‘shadow’ ban in Tamil Nadu and demanded security for the film’s screening in the southern state.
The petition challenged the actual ban imposed on the film by the state of Tamil Nadu by issuing an “alert” anticipating protests regarding the release of the film, which had led to the withdrawal of the film by cinema halls in the state.
On Tuesday, the bench agreed to list on May 15 the appeal against the interim order of the Kerala High Court refusing to stay the film’s release.
The High Court refused to stay the release of the film, noting that it did not contain any allegation against any religion, but only against the organization Islamic State or ISIS.
The High Court, while hearing a batch of pleas challenging the CBFC certification granted to the film, observed the film’s trailer before refusing to stay its screening, saying it contained nothing objectionable to any particular community .
Earlier, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the release of the film and asked the High Court to decide the petitions.
The top court had then said, “Think about the labor of actors, producers, who do a lot of work. A filmmaker invests a lot of money and time in making a film. Leave it to the market, the market will decide that it is not up to the mark.”
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the film’s release in theaters and OTT platforms, saying the film was likely to create hatred and enmity between different sections of society in India Is.
The petition states that the film demeans the entire Muslim community and as a result the lives and livelihood of the entire Muslim community will be in danger.
While seeking a direction not to release the film, the petition also sought a direction that its trailer be removed from the internet.
Alternatively, it sought a direction that the film ‘The Kerala Story’ be released with a disclaimer stating that it is a work of fiction and the characters in the film have no relation to any person living or dead.
Another petition in the apex court sought a stay on the film’s release saying it allegedly promotes hate speech.
The film shows how thousands of young women were allegedly brainwashed to join Islamic State (IS) and deported to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
‘The Kerala Story’ starring Adah Sharma hit the screens on May 5.
This report has been auto generated from ANI News Service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.
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