SC seeks response on banning film on Punjab militancy

The Supreme Court today sought response from Delhi and Punjab governments and Union Territory of Chandigarh on a petition challenging the ban imposed by them on screening of a regional film "Sadda Haq" which purportedly glorifies era of extremism and its abettors.
"There has been no ban on the screening of the film in other states. Why ban has been imposed only in Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh," a bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir asked while issuing notices to them and putting the matter for hearing on April 16.
Advocate Wasim Ahmed Qadri, appearing for the Delhi Government said, the ban was only in these three states as the screening of the film could affect a section of population belonging to a particular community, which is quite sizable, and there could have been consequential fallouts on peace and tranquillity.

He said situation on ground realities have been taken into account by the government before banning the film, the story line of which also covers incidents of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Punjab militancy and the alleged brutalities.
The screening of the film was stayed on April 4, a day before its release on April 5.
The court was hearing the plea of Vital Media, producer of the film, which assailed the ban imposed on the movie even after the story line was allowed for screening by the Central Board of film Certification.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the producer recalled that the apex court bench had in the past quashed the Uttar Pradesh government's order suspending the screening of Prakash Jha's film "Aarakshan".

Qadri urged the court not to pass any interim order on the plea by petitioner Vital Media.