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.
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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.
