The Supreme Court expressed its disapproval of the extra-judicial ban on the Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, on Tuesday. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film features Kamal Haasan in the lead role. A PIL filed by a man named Mahesh Reddy was being heard by a bench made up of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan on June 17. The PIL sought permission to screen Thug Life, which was not released in Karnataka after groups threatened to block its screening. This was due to the lead actor and one of the film's producers, Kamal Haasan's 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' statement.
Can't allow mobs to take over: SC
While expressing concern, Justice Bhuyan orally informed the State of Karnataka's legal representative that they can't allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets. 'Rules of law must prevail. We can't allow this to happen. If somebody has made a statement, counter it with a statement. Somebody has made some writing, counter it with some writing. This is proxy,' Justice Bhuyan said on Tuesday.
SC gives one day to the Karnataka government
The bench stated that the matter will be heard on Thursday and requested that the State submit its rebuttal by tomorrow. The bench stated that it would order the matter to be sent to the Supreme Court after the State's attorney claimed that the film's producer had already petitioned the High Court. 'The rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released and the State has to ensure its screening. It can't be for fear of burning down the cinemas that the film can't be shown. People may not watch the film. That is a different matter. We are not passing any order that people must watch the film. But the film must be released,' Justice Manmohan continued.
Justice Bhuyan voiced dissatisfaction with the Karnataka High Court's request that Kamal Haasan should apologise for his words after the State's attorney claimed that Haasan had decided not to release the movie in the State. Justice Bhuyan said, 'It is none of the business of the High Court.' He also added, 'There is something wrong in the system, that one person makes a system. Let there be a debate on the issue. Let people say he is wrong. All the enlightened people of Bangalore can issue a statement that he is wrong. Why should there be a resort to threats?'
The bench ordered the transfer of the petition in the Karnataka High Court to the Supreme Court. The Thug Life Karnataka release matter will be heard on June 19.