Add ‘no authentic data’ disclaimer to ‘The Kerala Story’: SC halts ban in WB

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the West Bengal government’s order banning the screening of the film “The Kerala Story” and asked Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of moviegoers after theatre owners decided to stop screening the film due to security concerns.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also directed the producer to put a disclaimer in the movie by 5 pm on May 20 on the claim that 32,000 Hindu and Christian women were converted to Islam.
According to the apex court, the disclaimer should say that “there is no authenticated data to back up the suggestion on figure of conversion and the film represents the fictionalised version”.
Also Read ‘Film running in peace…’, SC questions Mamata govt’s ban on ‘The Kerala Story’ The bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, said it would like to watch the movie before proceeding to decide the pleas challenging the grant of CBFC certification. It said the petitions will be heard in the second week of July.
The bench also took note of submissions that there was no ban on the film in Tamil Nadu and asked the state government to ensure the safety and security of moviegoers.
During the hearing, it said that statutory provisions cannot be used to “put a premium on public intolerance”.