It was beyond the scope of the information and broadcasting ministry to restrict the viewing of Aamir Khan's movie "PK" and those opposed to it were at liberty to move court, union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said Tuesday.
"The information and broadcasting ministry has no legal right whatsoever to restrict the viewing of any film," said Rathore, the minister of state for information and broadcasting.
"Freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution," he added.
The movie is being opposed by right-wing organisations who say certain scenes hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and promoted 'love jihad'.
In a countrywide protest, the groups called for the suspension of the film's screening while members of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside theatres, tore the film's posters, and raised slogans denouncing Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.