SC wants disclaimer on conversions in Kerala Story

May 18, 2023 15:45

Update: The West Bengal government's ban on the movie 'The Kerala Story' was paused by the Supreme Court on Thursday, which said statutory provisions cannot be used to "put a premium on public intolerance".

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it is the duty of the state government to maintain law and order as the film has been granted certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

"Bad films bomb at the box office," the bench said.

The legal provision cannot be used to put a premium on public intolerance. Otherwise, all films will find themselves in this spot," the bench, also comprising justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, said during the hearing.

The court said asks 'The Kerala Story' producer to put disclaimer by 5 pm on May 20 in film on allegations of conversion of 32,000 women to Islam.

The states cannot sit in appeal over the grant of certification to the movie, said senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for the producer of the movie.

Salve said nobody has filed any statutory appeal against the grant of certification to the film and referred judgements to buttress his submissions that it was held that the Supreme Court cannot sit in appeal over the CBFC certification.

The SC says it would like to watch the film before proceeding to decide pleas challenging grant of certification. It will hear in second week of July pleas challenging grant of CBFC certification.

The court also takes on record the assurance of Tamil Nadu that there is no direct or indirect ban on the film. It directed adequate security should be provided in every cinema hall and requisite arrangements shall be made to ensure the safety of moviegoers.

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