Supreme Court issues notice to Karnataka seeking response on ‘Thug Life’ ban

Supreme Court seeks Karnataka's response to petition for safe screening of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, amid threats and violence.

The Supreme Court on Friday sought the State of Karnataka to respond to a petition seeking to ensure the safe and unimpeded screening of Kamal Haasan’s Tamil movie Thug Life in the State. A Vacation Bench headed by Justice PK Mishra was also asked by petitioner, M. Mahesh Reddy, represented by advocate Athenam Velan, to take action against elements who have issued threats and incited violence against theatres and the makers of the film.

Issuing notice to the States, the court scheduled the case on Tuesday.

The Bench recorded Mr. Velan’s submission that a duly CBFC-certified Tamil feature film was not allowed to be screened in theatres in Karnataka. 

“The so-called ban under threat of violence stems not from any lawful process but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threat of arson against cinema halls, incitement of large-scale violence targeting linguistic minorities,” Mr. Velan argued.

Earlier this week, the petitioner, a Bengaluru resident, had sought urgent listing, saying “fringe elements” were threatening arson against theatres which screen the film.

Mr. Velan had said the move to appeal the apex court was necessitated by the fact that the Karnataka High Court had “distressingly appeared to prioritise appeasement” in proceedings seeking the judicial protection of the fundamental right to free speech and expression.

“Instead of a clear directive to the State to stop the illegal threats and protect a certified film’s exhibition – fundamental to restoring law and order – the discussion reportedly focused on whether Mr. Kamal Haasan should apologise to the very fringe elements intimidating him and threatening public order. This effective endorsement of coercive censorship by suggesting compromise with perpetrators makes the High Court pathway currently ineffective for securing justice, compelling this urgent appeal in the Supreme Court as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution,” the petition had submitted.