‘There's no end to hurt sentiments in India': SC tells Karnataka to act against those disrupting release of ‘Thug Life'

The Supreme Court Thursday directed the Karnataka Government to ensure that there is no obstruction to the release of Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life in the state, as the top court expressed concern over the incidents of violation of the right to free speech in the country.
The bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and comprising Justice Manmohan, was hearing a PIL seeking the top court's intervention to ensure smooth release of Thug Life in Karnataka, where it had run into opposition from some groups over a statement by the actor that Kannada originated from Tamil.
In its order, the court said, 'That if any individual or group prevent the release of a movie or resorts to coercion or violence, the State shall act promptly by taking action under criminal and civil law, including damages.'
'We cannot allow this to happen. Just because of an opinion, should a movie be stopped? A stand-up comedy should be stopped? Recital of a poem should be stopped?' Justice Bhuyan asked.
Seeking to know if any action had been taken against groups threatening violence over this, Justice Bhuyan said, 'There is no end to hurt sentiments in India. If a stand-up comedian says something, sentiments are hurt, and there is vandalism… Where are we heading?'
Hearing the plea on June 17, the SC pulled up the Karnataka Government saying the rule of law demands that any film cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be allowed to be screened, and 'mobs and vigilante groups' cannot be allowed to 'take over our streets'. The SC also criticised the Karnataka High Court for asking the actor to apologise for his alleged remarks.
The Karnataka Government subsequently filed an affidavit before the court, stating Thug Life had not been banned in the state and that it would provide full protection and security for releasing it.
Taking note of the stand of the state government, the court Thursday closed the case proceedings.
During the hearing, while the bench lauded the stand taken by the state, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the state had not taken any action against those who threatened violence if the movie was released in the state.
Justice Bhuyan then asked, '… What do you intend to do against those groups which threatened?' The state's counsel said, 'We will take action. We are duty-bound to.'
He pointed out that the problem was basically between the producer of the movie and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
To the KFCC counsel's submission that it had only sent a letter to producer saying 'there was widespread protests and kindly consider issuing an apology' and not issued any threats, Justice Bhuyan asked, 'Because of this, should the movie be stopped, or stand-up comedy should be stopped or reciting poem should be stopped?'
The counsel claimed that a mob had entered its offices, but Justice Bhuyan asked why it had not gone to the police in that case. 'You succumbed to mob pressure. Did you go to the police? No. That means you have no complaints against them. You are hiding behind them.'
Appearing for the Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Senior Advocate Sanjay Nuli, said language is an emotive issue in the state. However, Justice Bhuyan asked if the Parishad supports the unofficial ban on the movie, and the burning down of theatres. 'What is your stand?' To which Nuli said it 'can be screened, subject to an apology by the actor. Otherwise, it will aggravate the situation.'
But the bench did not seem to agree. 'Where is the question of apology?' asked Justice Bhuyan. Justice Manmohan added, 'You cannot take the law into your hands. If you are hurt by the statements, then file a defamation case'.
Closing the proceedings, the Supreme Court also recorded the statements of the Kannada language group that it will not cause any obstruction to the release of Thug Life.

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