It's None of Your Business: SC Rebukes Karnataka HC For Seeking Kamal's Apology For Kannada Remarks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday disapproved of the Karnataka High Court's remarks, asking Kamal Haasan to apologise to Kannadigas over his controversial 'Kannada born out of Tamil' remarks.

Supreme Court On Thug Life Unofficial Ban

"It is none of the business of the High Court," Live Law quoted Justice Ujjal Bhuyan as saying during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Mahesh Reddy over the threats of banning Thug Life in Karnataka. The petitioner had sought directions for the screening of Thug Life in Karnataka.

The Supreme Court has also said that it will ask the matter to be transferred to the apex court from the Karnataka High Court, and it will hear the case on Thursday.

Kamal Haasan, during a promotion of Thug Life, had claimed that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. These comments triggered a controversy with the pro-Kannada groups and Karnataka politicians seeking an apology from him for the trouble-free release.

On Tuesday, a bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan expressed concerns over the "extra-judicial ban" on Kamal Haasan's film in Karnataka.

Count Statement With Arguments, Not Ban

"We can't allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets. The rule of law must prevail. We can't allow this to happen. If somebody has made a statement, counter it with a statement. Somebody has made some writing, counter it with some writing. This is proxy..." Justice Bhuyan orally told the counsel representing Karnataka. The apex court has asked Karnataka to file its response by Wednesday.

The petitioner's counsel claimed that Karnataka has not filed any complaint against the people, in this case pro-Kannada leaders, who threatened the makers of banning the movie.

"Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released and the State has to ensure its screening. It can't be that at the fear of burning down the cinemas, that the film can't be shown. People may not watch the film. That is a different matter. We are not passing any order that people must watch the film. But the film must be released," Justice Manmohan stated. "Rule of law is important. State has to ensure that anyone who wants to show a film, that film must be released after it has got a CBFC certificate," the court added.

The apex court noted that the court is intervening as it is about fundamental rights. It also referred to the Bombay High Court's verdict on the play 'Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy'. "There were critical references to the Father of the Nation. There was hue and cry. And Maharashtra Government banned the play. The High Court set aside saying, he may be revered as the Father of the Nation. But you can't stop a different view. That is the freedom of speech," Justice Bhuyan stated.

The court also said that a screening of a movie cannot be halted once it gets clearance from the CBFC. "Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released and the State has to ensure its screening. It can't be that at the fear of burning down the cinemas, that the film can't be shown. People may not watch the film. That is a different matter. We are not passing any order that people must watch the film. But the film must be released," Justice Manmohan remarked.

What Karnataka HC Had Said?

Karnataka High Court, hearing a petition filed by Raaj Kamal International seeking a direction to authorities not to take any measures to prevent the release of his movie Thug Life in the state earlier, had made critical comments about the Tamil actor for his remarks on Kannada and sought his apology.

The Karnataka HC said, "If it is a reply of apology, we will take it. There is no apology in it. You may be Kamal Hassan or anybody, you cannot hurtthe sentiments of the masses." It noted that the division of this country is on linguistic lines and a public figure cannot make such a statement.

"What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked apology. Now you come here seeking protection. On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian, linguist. On what basis did you speak," it said.

The Karnataka court mentioned a similar statement made by C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, and he was forced to apologise. It said, "Now you are seeking protection for the release of your film. An apology would have done."

Thug Life Release

While the SC has claimed that a movie should be released once it gets the nod from the CBFC, the movie has failed to set the box office on fire. Mani directorial flick was released on June 5 and opened to a mixed response.