SC notice to West Bengal over 'Kerala Story' ban

The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the West Bengal government on a plea challenging the ban on the screening of movie, 'The Kerala story', in the state.

The court also directed the Tamil Nadu government to respond to the plea filed by the makers of the movie challenging the de facto ban on the movie there.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud verbally remarked that the movie had been released worldwide and that West Bengal cannot claim to be any different.


The bench remarked that the movie is "running in different parts with a similar demographic profile as West Bengal. And this has nothing to do with its cinematic value, it may be good or bad".

The court made it clear that it would not pass any directions without first hearing all the parties. The case will now come up for hearing on May 17.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners (movie makers), senior advocate Harish Salve argued that the petitioners were seeking quashing of the West Bengal order. Salve also sought directions for protection in Tamil Nadu.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the West Bengal government, argued that in similar cases, the top court has in the past asked the movie makers to approach the concerned high court. And that in the instant case, the movie maker should be asked to first approach the high court.

The bench, however, remarked that the movie has been screened in other states including places with similar demographic profile as West Bengal. Hence, the bench added, West Bengal cannot claim to be any different.

The West Bengal government had on May 8 ordered an immediate ban on the screening of the movie to avoid "any incident of hatred and violence".