Supreme Court rejects MP, Rajasthan pleas, clears ‘Padmaavat’

The Supreme Court pulled up Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for failing to control the law and order situation over the release of the Padmaavat.

The bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra along with Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud refused to modify its order staying the notifications or orders to ban the film in four states.

Taking exception to the growing violence towards the release of the film, CJI Misra pointed out that if people had a problem with the film, they could choose to avoid watching it.

“Look, we have passed an order. 100 people cannot create some problem in a particular area and the state cannot say there is a law and order problem. Let us not come to a stage where exhibition of a movie of this nature after issuance of certificate is crippled. Let those who don’t like the movie not watch it,” he said.

The bench that also comprised Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud remarked, “People should understand that a statutory body (censor board) has taken the decision and we have also passed an order, so abide by it.”

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the two states persisted in his efforts and submitted, “If an occasion arises we should be allowed to stop screening in some areas on ground of public order.” To which, Justice AM Khanwilkar said, “you are pre-empting law and order problem. First implement our order and then come to us if there is an issue.”

“It is implicit in your argument that you cannot handle law and order problem,” Justice Khanwilkar added. 

“Your whole petition is based on the premise that the film is a distortion of history,” Justice Chandrachud quipped.

Two Rajput organisations - Karni Sena and Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha, who are on the forefront of the agitations submitted an application suggesting that a film must be “made for uniting the society and not to break it”.