On Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed the order issued by the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, which had banned the screening of the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, stated that it is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order. The film had obtained certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
‘The Kerala Story’ has been a subject of intense online debate and criticism, drawing objections from various political leaders who have labeled it as a propaganda film. The West Bengal government had imposed the ban, citing concerns about potential threats to law and order in the state.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court took note of the arguments that there was no de facto ban on the film in Tamil Nadu. Consequently, the court directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure adequate security at all cinema halls and make necessary arrangements to safeguard movie-goers who wish to watch the film.
During the hearing, the bench remarked that the legal provisions should not be exploited to prioritize public intolerance. Otherwise, it would set a precedent where all films could face similar challenges, according to the news agency PTI (Press Trust of India).
