Seeking a ban on the screening of Tamil movie 'Annakodi' produced by Bharathiraja, a writ petition has been filed before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court.
The petition, filed by Thevar Pasarai Iyakkam's president A K Ragupathy contended that since the film tells a love story between a thevar girl and a dalit boy, the same will create communal clash between two groups and thereby public order will be worsened.
The petitioner also stated that even though the contents of the film are against Section 5B (Principles for guidance in certifying films) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Central Board of Film Certification certified the film and granted permission for the screening of the movie.
Section 5B read as follows: a film shall not be certified for public exhibition, if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of (the sovereignty and integrity of India) the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.
Seeking a ban on screening the movie in southern Tamil Nadu, a representation was sent to the concerned authorities on June 22. But, there was no action on their part, the petitioner said.
Hence, he filed the writ petition.
When it came up before Justice N Kirubakaran on Wednesday, the judge asked the petitioner's counsel R Maheswaran whether he had seen the movie. To this, the court was told no. Following it, the judge said that without seeing the movie, how can the petitioner presume that the movie will disturb communal balance?