New Delhi: Asserting that it cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets, the Supreme Court Tuesday expressed concerns over Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life not being released in Karnataka despite having a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
“The rule of law must prevail. We can’t allow this to happen… Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released… It can’t be that due to the fear that theatres will be burnt, the film can’t be shown… We are not passing any order that people must watch the film. But the film must be released,” the bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan were quoted as saying by LiveLaw.
The bench has directed the Karnataka government to file its response by tomorrow, and said that the matter will be heard on Thursday.
The apex court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, asserting that the petition was being filed “against the flagrant suppression of constitutional freedoms and what can only be described as a flagrant failure of law and order in the State of Karnataka, leading to the alarming rise of mob rule”.
Haasan’s movie had seen controversy over his remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” during the audio launch event for the movie on 24 May. Following this, several pro-Kannada organisations had called for a boycott of the film, even threatening that they would “set theatres on fire”.
Haasan’s production house Raaj Kamal Films International had then approached the Karnataka High Court demanding police protection for the film’s release. However, the high court refused to grant relief, and instead asserted that no citizen, including Haasan, had the right to hurt the sentiments of the masses. The high court had suggested that Haasan apologise for his statement.
However, Haasan refused to apologise, telling the high court he would not release the film in Karnataka.
But now the Supreme Court bench has ordered the transfer of the Karnataka High Court matter to the Supreme Court, after expressing displeasure over the high court’s remarks, saying that “it is none of the business of the high court”.
The movie, starring Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam, was released in cinema halls across the country on 5 June, but could not be released in Karnataka following the controversy.
‘Extra-judicial ban’
Filed on 5 June, Reddy’s petition asserts that the movie, which is CBFC-certified, is facing an “unconstitutional extra-judicial ban in Karnataka”.
“This ban stems not from any lawful process, but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots,” it submits.
The plea also highlights the “disturbing societal context where chauvinistic elements have targeted linguistic minorities such as Hindi speakers in Bengaluru with impunity, fostering a climate of fear that now directly threatens constitutional order over this film”.
Reddy then claimed that the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce “buckled under pressure” and publicly admitted to imposing a ban on the movie due to threats. This, he says, is a “clear sign of the collapse of lawful authority and a testament to the prevailing lawlessness”.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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