SC notice to UP, U'khand govts for non-release of film on Muzaffarnagar riots

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to respond why the film titled "Muzaffarnagar - The Burning Love," a love story of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl in the backdrop of the 2013 riots, was not allowed to be screened in certain districts.

A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra issued notice to both the states on a petition filed by the film's producer, Morna Entertainment Private Ltd. The petitioner contended that Rs 1 crore was spent on making the film and an equal amount on its promotion. About 100 people slogged to produce the film.

The petition filed by advocate Sandeep Singh said the film was certified by the Central Board of Film Certification on July 14 and was scheduled to be released on November 17 across the country but the film's distributor backed off from exhibiting it in the districts of Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Shamli, Saharanpur, Baghpat and Roorkee  on verbal orders of  the district administration.

The producer sought a direction for unhindered  screening  of the movie, contending that otherwise it would violate its fundamental right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and to carry on trade and profession guaranteed under the Constitution.