Delhi HC dismisses PILs against ‘The Taj Story’

We cannot decide history : The High Court clarifies

New Delhi – The Delhi High Court has dismissed two public interest litigations filed against the Hindi film ‘The Taj Story’. The petitioners had said that some of the claims made in the film were not in line with history and that there are independent views on history.

Two historians can have different opinions on history

The High Court said, “We are not the ‘Super Censor Board’. You are saying ,’this is not history’; but in any work of art, does the writer or director necessarily give a disclaimer that ‘this is or is not history’ ? Two historians can have different opinions; but are we going to decide which historian’s opinion is correct ? What criteria can we use to decide? The petitioners did not do proper research before filing the petition, and it was not right to include actors (for example, Paresh Rawal, who is the main character in the film) as parties in the petition. If a contempt petition is filed tomorrow, should the advocates also be made parties ? They are professional actors; they are not responsible for the story.

Finally, the High Court allowed the petitioners to withdraw their petition and suggested that they file a complaint with the Union Government under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The High Court also ordered that ‘if a review is filed with the Union Government, a decision will be taken at the earliest’.