The High Court has dismissed a writ petition by a Hindu organisation seeking a direction to the Centre and the CBFC not to certify any feature film having scenes depicting Hindu religious leader and spiritual gurus in a bad taste. The petitioner had also prayed for a consequent direction for the removal of the scenes in ‘Ok Ok- Oru Kal Oru Kannadi' which hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
In his order, Justice Vinod K. Sharma, referring to the contention by the petitioner's counsel that scenes in the film violated the rights conferred under Art.25 of the Constitution, said that it was not understood how a comic consequence interfered with the freedom of conscience, free profession, practice and propagation of religion to attract the provision.
The petitioner, Hindu Dharma Sakthi, represented by its secretary, N. Devasenathypathy, submitted that moral values should not be allowed to be sacrificed. The scenes involving Hindu religious leaders belittled Indian culture.
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The Judge said that the film had been certified for universal exhibition. The petitioner, therefore, had the remedy of appeal. The allegations in the petition were vague. Also, in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court, no order as prayed for could be issued in the petitioner's favour after the film had been certified for exhibition.