‘Can’t let mobs take over’: SC tells Karnataka to ensure release of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’

The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticised the Karnataka government for the “extra-judicial ban” on the screening of the film Thug Life, starring actor and politician Kamal Haasan, reported Live Law.

“We cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets,” said a bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan. “Rule of law must prevail.”

On June 3, Haasan’s production house told the Karnataka High Court that it will not seek to release the film in the state amid a row over his remark that the Kannada language “was born out of Tamil”.

Haasan made the remarks on May 24 at the audio launch for Thug Life in Chennai, after which pro-Kannada organisations held protests demanding that he should apologise for them. In the wake of the protests and demands to block the film, Raajkamal Films International had moved the High Court seeking directions to ensure its release.

Asking Haasan to apologise for his remark, the High Court on June 3 said that the actor’s statements had caused “unrest and disharmony” in Karnataka.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court said that a person’s statement should be countered “with a statement”.

The bench said that it was the state government’s responsibility to ensure the screening of any film with a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.

“It cannot be that at the fear of burning...

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