Go to HC says Supreme Court as it refuses to entertain plea against 'The Kerala Story'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain pleas seeking a stay on the release of the movie 'The Kerala Story' in theatres and OTT platforms.

However, it has allowed the petitioners to approach the Kerala High Court. Advocate Vrinda Grover mentioned the petition before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and sought an urgent listing for tomorrow citing the release date of the movie (May 5).

The petitioner wants the makers to have a disclaimer stating it is "wholly fictional", according to a report in Bar and Bench website

Grover pointed out that they are not seeking a complete ban on the flick. He said, "The opening shot says the film is true. It has been advertised as a true story. That movie vilifies the entire community. There is no disclaimer. It's a pan India release".

Another petition was mentioned by advocate Nizam Pasha and filed by the Islamic clerics body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind challenging the film's release. It wants a complete ban on the controversial film.

As the Kerala High Court is already hearing a petition in connection with the issue, the CJI refused to consider the petition and asked petitioners to approach the High Court instead.

When informed that the High Court had scheduled a hearing on May 5, the bench permitted the petitioners to request a hearing before then.

The makers of the movie were represented by senior advocate Harish Salve, who opposed the petitions.

The movie has triggered a controversy with politicians in Kerala seeking a ban on the movie. It is about how girls are allegedly converted and sold off as sex slaves from Kerala.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has slammed the makers of 'The Kerala Story' film, saying they were taking up the Sangh Parivar propaganda of projecting the state as a centre of religious extremism by raising the issue of 'love jihad'. He has accused the right-wing group of "sowing the poisonous seeds of communalism" and trying to destroy peace in the state.

The controversial film is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. It has Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in the cast.