Supreme Court lifted ban on ‘The Kerala Story’ in Bengal

Court orders State Government to provide security to theaters in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi – The Supreme Court reprimanded the Government and ordered it to lift the ban imposed on the screening of the film ‘The Kerala Story’ by the Trinamool Congress Government in Bengal on the grounds of law and order. Along with this, the court ordered, Tamil Nadu Government to provide security to theaters. While banning the film, the Bengal Government said that this film was likely to hurt religious feelings. The next hearing of this case will be held on 18th July.

When the film was released all over India, why was it banned in Bengal?

Chief Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud said that you cannot interfere with the fundamental right of people on the basis of emotions. The responsibility of maintaining law and order lies with the State Government. If the ban had been imposed in a District due to special circumstances, it would have been a different matter; But you banned this film in the entire state. The ban on the film by the Bengal Government does not seem to have a proper basis. The Chief Justice questioned, “How can this film be banned in one state on the grounds of law and order when it was released all over the country ?”

If you don’t like the movie, don’t watch it !

Intolerance of any kind will not be tolerated, but the fundamental right of freedom of expression cannot be decided because of someone’s sentiments or public demonstrations. Chief Justice made clear that public display of emotions should also be moderated. If you don’t like the film to not see it .

Do not put pressurize theater owners in Tamil Nadu

The Chief Justice said that in the affidavit the Tamil Nadu Government had said that it had not banned the film. It is the theater owners who had decided not to show the film. They also said that there was no pressure on the Theatre owners. CJI instructed that Tamil Nadu Government should provide security to theaters. No pressure should be put on the owners of theaters by the Government or people associated with the Government.

The Chief Justice has ordered the producers of the film to show a disclaimer at the beginning of the film and make it clear that the figure of 32,000 young women mentioned in the film is not official.

The Bengal Government imposed a ban on 8th May

Mamata Banerjee’s Government banned ‘The Kerala Story’ on 8th May. The film was released nationwide on 5th May. Regarding this, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ was made to make a community look bad. Through the film ‘The Kerala Story’, there is an attempt to show Kerala as bad. (After the Supreme Court order, it can be seen that  Mamata Banerjee’s decision was only Hinduphobic – Editor)

Editorial viewpoint

A commendable decision by the Supreme Court. Hindus feel that a penalty should be imposed on the Bengal Government for instating a ban on the movie which depicts atrocities against Hindus and to please Muslims.