HC asks Censor Board to decide on 'Emergency' certification

Do the citizens of the country feel stupid enough to blindly believe everything shown in movies? What about creative, imaginative freedom? On Thursday, the High Court asked the Censor Board such questions about Kangana Ranaut's film 'Emergency'. Also, it expressed its displeasure at the board's stand in refusing to grant the certificate to the film and ordered a decision on the matter within a week.

The Censor Board cannot deny a certificate to a film by infringing on individual and freedom of expression for fear of creating a law and order problem. The Censor Board has to take a decision regarding the screening of the film. However, a bench of Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Puniwala directed the Censor Board to give a proper explanation till the next hearing if the board says that the film cannot be screened.

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Earlier, lawyer Abhinav Chandrachud on behalf of the board informed the court that the chairman of the censor board had sent the film to the review committee for a final decision on the film. The film has some scenes and dialogues that provoke religious sentiments. Hence, confusion and chaos may arise in the society. Therefore, the board informed the court that the committee is still deliberating on the screening of the film. However, this is just a waste of time. Assembly elections are going to be held in Haryana. 

Hence, senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for the film's co-producer Zee Entertainment, claimed that care was being taken to ensure that the film would not release before October. Thereupon, the Board did not follow the earlier order of the court and simply transferred the case from one department to another. A law and order issue will arise, therefore, it is not the job of the board to come to the conclusion of non-certification of the film, it is the job of the state government and the police administration, the court told the Censor Board.

Meanwhile, Sikh organisations including Shiromani Akali Dal, objected to the film 'Emergency' based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Madhya Pradesh High Court was ordered to consider the objections of the Sikh community. Hence, the release of the film is stalled.