Plea Against ‘Article 15’ Rejected by Supreme Court

‘Article 15’ hit theatres on 28 June.

Ayushmann Khurrana in a still from Article 15.

(Photo Courtesy: Screengrab via YouTube)

On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking cancellation of certificate issued to Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Article 15 by the Central Board of Film Certification. The bench also asked the petitioner to approach the appropriate authority with grievances. Article 15 released on 28 June.

"You go to the appropriate authority under the act," a bench of justices S A Bobde and B R Gavai told the counsel appearing for the petitioner. Post which, the counsel has withdrawn the petition with liberty to approach the authority concerned.

The plea also alleged that the release of ‘Article 15’ could cause “severe damage” to public’s perception of the origin of Article 15 of the Constitution.

The petitioner, Brahman Samaj of India, is seeking cancellation of certificate by alleging that the film contained objectionable dialogues spreading rumour and caste hatred in society.

The petitioner had moved the top court under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952. It also sought a direction to stop the release of the movie. According to the petitioner, the title of the movie is a "clear misuse of Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution" and is in "contravention of section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper use) Act". The petition also claimed that CBFC's decision granting certification to the film prima facie violates provisions of Article 19 (1)(a) read with Article 19 (2) of the Constitution of India.

Moreover, it could result in more Bollywood films being named after Articles of the Constitution.

"Further, respondent number one (Centre) and two (CBFC) were requested to stop/bar respondent number three (Benaras Media Works Pvt Ltd) i.e. the film producer/director from using casteist remarks against any particular caste in the dialouges of the film for cheap personal commercial gain and stop spreading rumours and caste hatred in the society," the plea alleged.

The plea also alleged that the release of Article 15 could cause “severe damage” to public’s perception of the origin of Article 15 of the Constitution. Moreover, it could result in more Bollywood films being named after Articles of the Constitution.

(With inputs from PTI)