Jamiat Chief Files Petition in Delhi High Court to Halt Udaipur Files Release Amid Communal Tension Concerns

A petition has been submitted to the Delhi High Court to halt the release of the film Udaipur Files. The petitioner argues that the movie, based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, could incite communal tensions and disturb public order in India. Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and principal of Darul Uloom Deoband, filed the petition, which is expected to be heard on Wednesday.

The petition highlights that a trailer for the film, released on June 26, 2025, contains dialogues and scenes reminiscent of those that caused communal unrest in 2022. It suggests that these elements could once again provoke similar sentiments. The movie reportedly includes court scenes and statements from a sitting chief minister supporting one side in the case. It also mentions a controversial statement by politician Nupur Sharma, which previously led to communal violence and Kanhaiya Lal's murder.

Potential Impact on Public Order

The petitioner claims that merely watching the trailer reveals its prejudicial portrayal of an entire community. This depiction allegedly violates their right to live with dignity. The trailer is described as highly provocative, with the potential to create divisions between communities and disturb public peace across the nation. The same set of statements that previously caused unrest are reportedly repeated in the movie.

According to the petition, while Kanhaiya Lal's murder was committed by two individuals, the trailer misleadingly suggests involvement from religious leaders of a particular community. This portrayal could vilify an entire religious group, fostering hatred and undermining religious harmony in India. Such actions are said to contravene fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution by promoting discrimination and threatening community members' dignity and security.

Concerns Over Constitutional Morality

The petition further argues that the film violates constitutional morality by misusing freedom of expression to weaken India's pluralistic and secular vision. It claims that the movie attempts to mainstream narratives that deepen social and religious divisions. The petitioner asserts that artistic expression should not be allowed to destroy fraternity or undermine the nation's ethical foundations as outlined in the Constitution.

The court is urged to consider these concerns seriously as they reflect broader issues about maintaining social harmony and respecting constitutional values. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how freedom of expression is balanced with public order and communal harmony in India.

With inputs from PTI