The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Karnataka government to ensure that there is no obstacle in the release of Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life in the state, as the apex court expressed concern over the incidents of violation of the right to free speech in the country.
Under the chairmanship of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and under the chairmanship of Justice Manmohan, thugs in Karnataka were demanding top court intervention to ensure smooth release of life, where it had gone against some groups on a statement of the actor that Kannada had generated from Tamil.
In its order, the court said, “If a person or group prevents the release of a film or stops resorts for force or violence, the state will act immediately by taking action under criminal and civil law, including damage.”
“We cannot allow this to happen. Just because of one opinion, should a film be stopped? A stand-up comedy should be stopped? A poem should be stopped?” Justice Bhuyan asked.
Demanding to know if any action was taken against the groups threatening violence on it, Justice Bhuan said, “There is no end to hurt emotions in India. If a stand-up comedian says something, the emotions are hurt, and the barbarity … where are we going?”
Hearing the petition on 17 June, the SC pulled the Karnataka government, saying that the law of law demands that any film cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be allowed to screen, and “crowd and vigilance groups” cannot be allowed to “take” on our streets. SC also criticized the Karnataka High Court to be asked to apologize to the actor for his alleged remarks.
The Karnataka government later filed an affidavit before the court, stating that the thug life was not banned in the state and it would provide full security and security to release it.
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Focusing on the state government stand, the court on Thursday stopped the case proceedings.
During the hearing, while the bench appreciated the stand taken by the state, the lawyer present for the petitioner presented that the state had not taken any action against those who threatened violence if the film was released in the state.
Justice Bhuyan then asked, “… what do you intend to do against the groups who threatened?” The state lawyer said, “We will take action. We are duties.”
He said that the problem was originally between the film’s producer and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
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To tell the KFCC counsel that he had only sent a letter to the manufacturer, stating that “there was a broader protest and please consider the apology” and not issued any threats, Justice Bhuyan asked, “Because of this, the film should be stopped, or stand-up comedy should be stopped or the poem should be stopped.”
The lawyer claimed that a mob had entered their offices, but Justice Bhuyan asked why it did not go to the police in that case. “You die for mob pressure. Did you go to the police? No. This means that you have no complaints against them. You are hiding behind them.”
Senior advocate Sanjay Nuli, appearing for the Kannada Sahitya Parishad, said that language is an emotional issue in the state. However, Justice Bhuyan asked if the council supports the informal ban on the film, and burned theaters. “What is your stand?” To which Nuli said, “This investigation can be done, subject to forgiveness by the actor. Otherwise, it will increase the situation.”
But the bench did not seem to agree. “Where is the question of forgiveness?” Asked Justice Bhuyan. Justice Manmohan said, “You cannot take the law into your hands. If you are hurt by statements, file a defamation case”.
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Closing the proceedings, the Supreme Court also recorded the statements of the Kannada language group that this thug would not create any obstacle in the release of life.
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