NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Karnataka government to take an action against those criminal elements who obstructed the screening of Kamal Haasan starrer "Thug Life" in the state.
"We cannot allow this to happen. Just because of an opinion, should a movie be stopped? A stand-up comedy should be stopped? Recital of a poem should be stopped," a bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan said.
The court's observations came as the Karnataka government led by advocate D L Chidananda submitted that the state government has not imposed any restriction on exhibition of the movie. The counsel also assured the court of providing security and maintaining law and order if the movie is released over there.
After getting the assurances from Karnataka govt that it would provide adequate safety and security to the theatres if the movie was screened in the state, the court on Thursday closed a PIL filed by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy challenging the ban on the screening of Tamil feature film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka.
During the course of the hearing on Thursday, the court said that it did not want a situation to crop up in which someone’s sentiment was hurt by utterances and the movie was stalled from releasing, or a standup show was cancelled or an artist was stopped from reciting a poem.
The bench disposed of the PIL after considering the stand taken by Karnataka government that it has not imposed any ban on the film and that it will provide "full protection and security" for the screening of the film if the producers decide to release it in the State.
The plea alleged that the film, despite having a valid censor certificate, was effectively banned in the State due to the alleged threats by fringe organisations and the inaction of the State authorities.
Advocate A Velan, appearing for the petitioner, Reddy, argued that the State has not taken any action against those persons who issued the threats against the film and that its affidavit is silent about that issue. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has issued various guidelines with respect to mob vigilantism and hate speeches, which the State was bound to follow in the instant case.
Opposing these submissions, the State's counsel stated that the petitioner was referring to cases where the Governments imposed bans on films and that those judgments are not applicable here as the State has not banned the film.
The bench appreciated the stand taken by the State.
Kamal Haasan's Raj Kamal Film International Ltd, one of the producers of the film, expressed satisfaction with the State's stand. The bench then proposed to close the case.
The Karnataka government on Wednesday, filed a detailed affidavit in the Supreme Court and said that if actor Kamal Haasan's movie 'Thug Life' is released in the state, then it would take all the necessary steps to maintain law and order, and provide security to all the citizens concerned and other stakeholders.
The Karnataka govt on Wednesday filed the affidavit in the top court, after complying with the SC's Tuesday's order, which asked it to file the same in a day in the case.
"In the event the producers of the film decide to release the movie in the State of Karnataka, the state government is duty bound and will give protection and security for such release and for the people connected therewith, including the cast, director, producers, the exhibitors, and the audience," said, the affidavit of Karnataka govt.
The plea of Reddy also sought directions to allow the screening of 'Thug Life', which was not released in Karnataka after certain groups issued threats against its exhibition following the remarks of Kamal Haasan, the lead actor and one of the producers of the film, that Kannada
On June 17, the top court came down heavily on the Karnataka govt over actor Haasan's film "Thug Life" not being released in the state, as it directed that the film be screened in the state, and noted that mobs and vigilante groups cannot be allowed take over the streets.
"We can’t allow this to happen. Rule of law demands that any person should be allowed to see a film. It can’t be at the fear that the theatres will be burnt. We are not saying that people should come and watch the film. But the film should be released. Mob and vigilantes cannot be allowed to take to the streets. Rule of law has to be established and guns cannot be put to people’s head to stop them from watching the movie," said, the two-judge vacation Bench of the top court.
Earlier on Tuesday, the court directed for releasing the film, 'Thug Life', and stressed that once a film has got the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance, it has to be released in all the state.
Haasan had created a controversy with his statement that Kannada was born out of Tamil language.
