No restriction on Kamal Haasan's Thug Life: Karnataka government in top court
The Karnataka government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating it has not imposed any restriction on the release of Kamal Haasan's film in the state.Responding after the Supreme Court criticised the delay in the film's release, the state clarified that the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had merely issued a letter condemning Haasan's remarks and sought an apology, but no official ban was enforced.advertisementThe government also informed the court that the film's producer had voluntarily given an undertaking to the Karnataka High Court, agreeing not to release the film until the matter is resolved.
The affidavit added that if the film is released, the state will take all necessary steps to maintain law and order.Earlier, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had issued a notice over the alleged ban on Kamal Haasan's Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, criticising groups threatening to stop its release over his reported remarks.The court strongly stated that mob threats cannot dictate what is shown in theatres, saying, 'You cannot threaten to burn down cinemas because you disagree. Respond with words, not violence.'It stressed that if the film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it must be allowed to release and people are free to watch it or not. The bench also questioned why the High Court asked for an apology.advertisement'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.Furthermore, the court stated that while Karnataka residents are free to disagree with Kamal Haasan, but the fundamental rights must be protected. The court also cited past rulings to underline that free speech and differing opinions are essential in a democracy.Must Watch
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Business Standard
35 minutes ago
- Business Standard
BJP's bid to hide Keezhadi findings shows its hate for Tamil pride: Stalin
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New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
BJP govt's attempt to hide Keezhadi findings shows its hatred for Tamil pride, claims CM Stalin
CHENNAI: The BJP government's attempt to not accept the findings of the ancient excavation site of Keezhadi in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district by trying to put out of sight the final report only showed how much hatred it has for Tamil pride, Chief Minister M K Stalin alleged on Thursday. Despite all the studies backed with scientific results, the Central government, which was trying to hide the cultural pride of the Tamils' by delaying the publication of the Keezhadi excavation report, has failed to produce additional evidence even two years after the final report was submitted, he claimed. 'This is a blatant attack by the BJP government on Tamil culture and pride,' said Stalin in a letter to party workers. The BJP wanted to destroy the symbol of Dravidian culture by promoting the fictional Saraswati civilisation, which lacked credible evidence, while dismissing the proven antiquity of Tamil culture, the CM said. The artefacts obtained from the Keezhadi site were subjected to world-class scientific research and proved. "The BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not accepted it. That is how much hatred for the Tamil pride is embedded in that party's policies," Stalin said. He further said, "As our leader Kalaignar (late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi) said, the BJP, which looks at Tamil with bitterness and hatred, is continuously trying to hide the glory of Tamil culture unearthed at the Keezhadi excavation site."
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Pete Hegseth hints disobeying court order and maintaining troop deployment in LA, leaving Democrats baffled
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth left Democrats baffled during a Senate committee hearing after he suggested that he would not obey a federal court ruling against the deployments of National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles read more US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters The US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth , suggested on Wednesday that he would not obey if a federal court ruled against the deployments of National Guard troops and US Marines to the ongoing protests in Los Angeles , California. The remarks from Hegseth came during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. US President Donald Trump's administration has been facing numerous lawsuits over its policies, especially the government's crackdown on immigration. In several instances, the administration has even avoided complying with court orders it dislikes. In response to this pattern, Democrats argued that Trump is sending the country into a constitutional crisis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that the state of California has sued over Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to the ongoing LA protests against raids conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Last week, a federal judge ruled that the control of soldiers should return to California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. Hegesth echoes Trump's rhetoric After the federal court's order, an appeals court stayed that ruling. However, the arguments produced by Hegeseth on Tuesday sounded like the Trump administration is willing to defy Trump's order and keep soldiers under the POTUS's authority. 'I don't believe district courts should be determining national security policy. When it goes to the Supreme Court, we'll see,' Hegseth told the Democratic senator Mazie Hirono during the hearing. 'If the Supreme Court rules on a topic, we will abide by that," he replied when faced with a similar question posed by US Senator Elizabeth Warren. Meanwhile, GOP senators present at the hearing were dissatisfied by the fact that the meeting, which was intended to focus on the Pentagon's budgetary needs for the forthcoming fiscal year, derailed into issues of the LA protests and the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions . During the hearing, Senator Slotkin asked whether troops deployed in southern California were allowed to arrest protesters or shoot them in the legs. 'If necessary, in their self-defence, they could temporarily detain and hand over to [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. But there's no arresting going on,' replied. On Friday, US Marines temporarily took into custody a US citizen who was protesting at a federal building in Los Angeles. When Slotkin asked the question about troops shooting protesters, Hegesth laughed before delivering his response. 'Senator, I'd be careful what you read in books and believe in, except for the Bible," Hegseth exclaimed. An exasperated Slotkin replied: 'Oh my God.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the question of hearing The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict also took centre stage at the Senate committee hearing. The matter was discussed as Trump has publicly mulled the possibility that the United States might strike Iran. When asked if the Pentagon is planning to topple the Iranian regime, Hegseth replied: 'We have plans for everything'. Hegseth was also questioned about his order to revert the names of military bases renamed by former US President Joe Biden. The ex-Democratic president renamed the bases because they honoured figures in the Confederacy. While commenting on the order, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said that in his state, several bases had been renamed under Biden in honour of accomplished veterans and their families were never officially told that the names would be changed back. 'You didn't call any of the families, and I've spoken with the families, and the families were called by the press. That's how they learned about this. They learned about it from the press,' Kaine said. The Senator went on to ask Hegseth to pause the renaming of these bases. However, the defence secretary declined to do so. 'We'll find ways to recognise them," he said. Democrats went on to slam Hegseth for turmoil in the ranks of his top aides, questioning his handling of the department. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
