April 10,2018:
On Tuesday, Supreme Court expounded that,"Anarchy will prevail if private bodies or associations are allowed to become a law unto themselves and cripple freedom of speech in cinema".
SC Bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra stated that,"Once a film has been certified for screening by the Film Censor Board, any attempts by private bodies, groups or associations to ban its release should be mercilessly struck down to protect the fundamental right to free speech.
Apex Court passed the order on a petition filed by Harinder S. Sikka, Producer of the controversial Punjabi film Nanak Shah Fakir.
Order comes a day after Sikhs’ highest temporal seat, Akal Takht, imposed a ban on its release on ground that it showed Sikh Gurus in a living form.
SC Bench pointed out that,"There is only one statutory and competent Censor Board and this body has already given Mr. Sikka’s film a certificate, unless that certificate is nullified or modified by an superior authority, the producer or distributor of the film has every right to get it exhibited in a movie hall.”
It further added that any encouragement of activities to ban a certified film has potentiality to bring in anarchy and cripple the right of freedom of speech and expression.
Bench stated that,“In any case, such bodies, groups or individuals cannot assume the position as if they are the authorities to grant certificate or that unless they feel that the movie is to be released, it should not see the light of the day”.
Film was initially cleared by the Censor Board on March 30, 2015, and slated for release in April 2015. But after widescale protests, it was banned in Punjab for two months.
After Ban, Mr. Sikka had withdrawn its worldwide release. CBFC had again cleared the movie on March 28, 2018.
Picture Source :
