Supreme Court Lifts West Bengal’s Ban On ‘The Kerala Story’

The Supreme Court on Thursday lifts the West Bengal government’s ban on the movie, ‘The Kerala Story’ ensuring the filmmakers carry a disclaimer stating the flick accounts for fictionalised events and have no evidence claiming the 32,000 Kerala women forced Islamic conversion and ISIS joining.

The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it is the duty of the state government to maintain law and order as the cinema is passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Based on the prima facie the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of the material before and thus the order on banning the film remains stayed, the court said in the order.

It further said that the petition challenging the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification of the film, would be listed in July, after summer vacations, as it first needs to see the movie.

The legal provision cannot be used for putting a premium on public intolerance or else all films will find themselves in this spot, it added.

Supreme Court was hearing the cross-pleas with the producer of the film challenging the film screening ban in West Bengal and the decision by theatre owners in Tamil Nadu for not showing the film on the state’s big screen.

The Sudipto Sen directorial was released in cinemas on 5 May, ever since it sparked much controversy but didn’t fail to attract the masses to theatre.