SC must be congratulated for upholding ‘right of artistes': Sibal on Padmaavat

The Supreme Court has paved way for all India release of film Padmaavat on January 25.

With the Supreme Court barring states from imposing a ban on the release of the movie 'Padmaavat', senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday said the apex court must be congratulated for upholding 'freedom of speech' and 'rights of the artists'.

The Supreme Court has paved way for all India release of film Padmaavat on January 25. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra stayed the ban on the release of the film at Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. It also restrained other states from issuing such ban on exhibition of the film.

"Extremely excited and it is the vindication of the rights of the artists and it is the vindication of the right to freedom of speech and I think Supreme court should be congratulated for upholding not just freedom of speech but the right of artist to present the story in the manner he or she wishes," Sibal told news agency ANI.

"I hope that states concerned will honour the verdict and don't create hurdles for its implementation on the ground," he added.

The court also observed that once a film is given a certification by the CBFC, no state government can prohibit the release of the film. It is the duty of that particular state to maintain law and order, the court said while hearing a plea relating to the release of the controversial film Padmaavat.

On Wednesday a petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the ban imposed on the film. The movie is slated for a January 25 release. The governments of Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had banned the release of the film.

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