Insaaf Times Desk
The Delhi High Court has made it clear that films which ridicule religion, spread hatred, or disturb social harmony cannot be granted certification. The court observed that in a country as diverse and secular as India, promoting such content is unconstitutional.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora made these remarks while dismissing a petition filed by filmmaker Shyam Bharteey, who had challenged the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to deny clearance to his Hindi film “Masoom Kaatil.”
The court noted that the film’s content encourages people to take the law into their own hands. It contained extreme violence and gory scenes that, according to the court, could brutalize society and normalize unlawful behavior. Justice Arora remarked:
“The purpose of films is to unite society, not divide it. Such content cannot, under any circumstances, be allowed on a public platform.”
The CBFC had raised several serious objections to the film, including:
Graphic and gruesome violence against humans and animals.
Derogatory remarks against religion and caste.
Dialogues denigrating certain communities.
Depictions of minors engaged in violence and crime.
The filmmaker had requested that the film be released with an “Adults Only” certificate and some cuts. However, the High Court upheld the CBFC’s findings, ruling that the film’s content was “so objectionable and deplorable that no amount of editing could make it suitable for public exhibition.”
The court’s ruling underscores that while freedom of expression is protected, content that insults religious sentiments, spreads communal hatred, or glorifies barbaric violence will not be tolerated in any form.
