Not Karnataka High Court's role to demand apology: Top court slams Thug Life ban
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice in the case concerning the ban on the release of Kamal Haasan's Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, criticising groups that threatened to ban the film's release over controversial remarks allegedly made by the actor.The court said the rule of law cannot be held hostage to mob threats and warned that "groups of hooligans" cannot be allowed to decide what gets screened in theatres.advertisement'If someone has made a statement, you counter it with another statement. You cannot threaten to burn down theatres,' the bench remarked.
It added that the people of Karnataka are free to disagree with Haasan, but fundamental rights must be protected.'If enlightened people of Karnataka and Bengaluru believe his statement was wrong, they can issue a statement saying so. Why threaten to burn down cinemas?'The Suprene Court transferred the plea filed by the film's producer from the Karnataka High Court to itself and asked the state government to file its reply. It questioned the role of the High Court, especially over suggestions that the actor apologise to resolve the issue.'There is something wrong with the system when one person makes a statement and everyone gets involved. Why should the High Court say 'express an apology'? That is not its role,' the court said.advertisementIt emphasised that once a film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it must be allowed to be released. 'People can choose not to watch it. But we cannot allow threats and intimidation to decide if a film gets released,' the court added.The court also quoted past judgements, including the Bombay High Court verdict in the Mi Nathuram Boltoy play case, and the Imran Pratapgarhi ruling, to support the argument that differing views must be allowed in a democracy.Reiterating its role, the court said: 'We are the custodians of the rule of law. That is what the Supreme Court is for.'Tune InTrending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
News18 Evening Digest: Air India Cancels Flights, Trump On Iran-Israel Conflict & Other Top Stories
Last Updated: We are also covering: Trump's departure from G7 over Israel-Iran ceasefire, US intel counters Israel's claim on Iran nuclear weapons, and SC statement on Kamal Haasan's Thug Life. In today's digest, News18 brings you the latest on the emerging conflict in West Asia as the Iran-Israel conflict enters its fifth day. We are also covering PM Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit and Air India's cancellation of international flights after the Ahmedabad. After the June 12 crash of a Boeing 787-8 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of 242 people on board, Air India flights have seen a string of flight returns, technical issues, and delays caused by crew duty limits. Today, Air India cancelled three international flights as part of precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, following heightened safety scrutiny by aviation authorities in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad crash. READ MORE 'Much Bigger…': Trump Says He Didn't Leave G7 Over Israel-Iran Ceasefire, Teases 'Real End' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that the US is seeking more than just a ceasefire, aiming instead for a 'real and lasting end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump also posted on Truth Social that he had not contacted Iran for peace negotiations in any 'way, shape, or form", stating that the country 'should have taken the deal that was on the table". READ MORE Israel's recent strikes on Iran, which have killed hundreds of people and exacerbated fears of a regional war, were based on the pretext that Iran was very close to building a nuclear weapon, almost to the 'point of no return". A US assessment has determined that not only was Iran not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, it was also up to three years away from being able to produce and deliver one to a target of its choosing, four people familiar with the report told CNN. READ MORE Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Calgary to attend the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, his first visit to Canada in a decade. The Prime Minister is set to discuss various topics of development, such as energy security, technology and innovation with world leaders. PM Modi, who is on a three-nation tour, on Monday evening (local time) arrived in Canada from Cyprus at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Kananaskis gathering, scheduled on June 16 and 17, is the Prime Minister's sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit. READ MORE 'Mob Can't Decide': Supreme Court Slams Karnataka High Court For Kamal Haasan's Thug Life Ban The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka High Court and issued a notice in the case concerning the ban on the release of Kamal Haasan's Tamil film Thug Life in the state. The top court criticised the groups that have threatened to stall the film's release over the actor's controversial remarks in which he claimed that 'Kannada was born from Tamil". A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan said rule of law has to be established and guns cannot be put to people's heads to stop them from watching the movie. The court also pointed out that 'groups of hooligans" cannot be allowed to decide what gets screened in theatres. READ MORE Grammy-winning singer Shakira has voiced her concern about the challenges faced by immigrants in the United States due to President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policies. As quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, in a recent interview, Shakira shared her experiences as a Colombian-born immigrant who moved to Miami as a teenager to pursue her music career. The 48-year-old star emphasised the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their legal status. 'It means living in constant fear," she said, describing the reality of being an immigrant in the US today, adding, 'And it's painful to see," as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. READ MORE Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 17, 2025, 18:32 IST
The Hindu
33 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Will honour SC order, says Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar on screening of ‘Thug Life'
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday appealed to Kannada activists to abide by the Supreme Court order, which directed the state government to ensure the screening of the Kamal Haasan-starrer movie Thug Life. Kannada activists have been up in the arms against the screening of the movie after the 70-year-old actor's comments about Kannada language sparked a major controversy. They staged protests, lodged police complaint and warned film theatres not to screen the movie, alleging that Haasan insulted Kannada without knowing its rich history. The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Karnataka government after Thug Life was not screened in theatres in the state. The court said mob and vigilantes cannot be allowed to take over streets. Also Read | 'Thug Life' movie review: Kamal Haasan's fiery performance aside, Mani Ratnam's gangster drama shoots blanks Reacting to the court order, Shivakumar said, "We have to abide by the Supreme Court order with honour. Everyone has limitations. I appeal to various organisations that we must have our limitations." "I appeal to all the Kannada activists, please be calm, we should respect the court. No one should take law into their hands," he said. The Deputy CM underlined that Karnataka has always been a peace loving state. Noting that there is nothing wrong in expressing opinion, Shivakumar said the state government too gave activists a chance to express their views. He appealed to the people of Bengaluru to be generous. "We have accommodated all the castes, languages and culture in Bengaluru. This is an international city. The people of Karnataka have always been large hearted," he underlined. He also pointed out that no one can spoil the self-esteem of Kannada and the state government is also in favour of it but one has to honour the court. Thug Life released in cinema halls across the country on June 5.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Will honour SC order, says Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar on screening of 'Thug Life'
BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday appealed to Kannada activists to abide by the Supreme Court order, which directed the state government to ensure the screening of the Kamal Haasan-starrer movie 'Thug Life'. Kannada activists have been up in arms against the screening of the movie after the 70-year-old actor's comments about Kannada language sparked a major controversy. They staged protests, lodged police complaint and warned film theatres not to screen the movie, alleging that Haasan insulted Kannada without knowing its rich history. The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Karnataka government after 'Thug Life' was not screened in theatres in the state. The court said mob and vigilantes cannot be allowed to take over streets. Reacting to the court order, Shivakumar said, "We have to abide by the Supreme Court order with honour. Everyone has limitations. I appeal to various organisations that we must have our limitations." "I appeal to all the Kannada activists, please be calm, we should respect the court. No one should take law into their hands," he said. The Deputy CM underlined that Karnataka has always been a peace loving state. Noting that there is nothing wrong in expressing opinion, Shivakumar said the state government too gave activists a chance to express their views.
