NEW DELHI: India’s top court has overturned a ban imposed by several states on the release of a Bollywood epic about a mythical queen.
The Supreme Court said the ban, which followed violent protests by members of the Hindu right who claimed the film falsely depicted a romance between the queen and a Muslim ruler, violated creative freedoms.
India’s film censor board had cleared “Padmaavat” for release subject to certain changes, but at least four states said they would ban its screening.
“Cinemas are an inseparable part of right to free speech and expression,” said Chief Justice Dipak Misra.
“States... cannot issue notifications prohibiting the screening of a film.”
Harish Salve, a lawyer representing the movie’s producers, said the states “cannot ban screening to appease their political constituency.”
Such a move would “lead to constitutional breakdown,” he told The Hindu newspaper.
Last January protesters from a hard-line Hindu group attacked the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and vandalized the set during filming in Rajasthan.
The leader of the group also offered 50 million rupees ($769,000) to anyone who “beheaded” lead actress Deepika Padukone or Bhansali.
Protesters attacked another set near Mumbai in March, burning costumes and other props.
“Every story can’t be told how bullies want it,” tweeted author and screenwriter Chetan Bhagat in response to the court’s ruling.
“Artists, just as anyone else, have freedom to express in India. The states involved should respect decision and curb bullies.”
Indian Supreme Court lifts ban on release of Bollywood film
Indian Supreme Court lifts ban on release of Bollywood film
Sydney man jailed for mailing reptiles in popcorn bags
- The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment officials said
SYDNEY: A Sydney man who tried to post native lizards, dragons and other reptiles out of Australia in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins has been sentenced to eight years in jail, authorities said Tuesday.
The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment officials said.
A district court in Sydney gave the man, 61-year-old Neil Simpson, a non-parole period of five years and four months.
Investigators recovered 101 Australian reptiles from seized parcels destined for Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Romania, the officials said in a statement.
The animals — including shingleback lizards, western blue-tongue lizards, bearded dragons and southern pygmy spiny-tailed skinks — were posted in 15 packages between 2018 and 2023.
“Lizards, skinks and dragons were secured in calico bags. These bags were concealed in bags of popcorn, biscuit tins and a women’s handbag and placed inside cardboard boxes,” the statement said.
The smuggler had attempted to get others to post the animals on his behalf but was identified by government investigators and the New South Wales police, it added.
Three other people were convicted for taking part in the crime.
The New South Wales government’s environment department said that “the illegal wildlife trade is not a victimless crime,” harming conservation and stripping the state “and Australia of its unique biodiversity.”
