Rush Hour: SC directs Karnataka to release Kamal Haasan’s film, Indians asked to leave Tehran & more

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Criticising the “extra-judicial ban” on the screening of the film Thug Life in Karnataka, the Supreme Court has directed the Congress government in the state to ensure its release. “We cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets,” said the bench.

The film, starring Kamal Haasan, had run into trouble in Karnataka after the actor and politician’s remark that the Kannada language “was born out of Tamil”. Asking Haasan to apologise, the High Court had on June 3 said that the actor’s statements had caused “unrest and disharmony” in Karnataka.

The actor refused to apologise, saying he had “no malice” behind his remarks. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court expressed disapproval of the High Court’s directive asking Haasan to apologise. Read on.

Indian citizens in Tehran have been asked to leave the Iranian capital by the Indian embassy. Additionally, Indians who are in Tehran but not in touch with the embassy have been asked to contact the diplomatic mission immediately and provide their location and contact numbers.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian students in the Iranian capital had been moved out of the...

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