Kannada Sahitya Parishat seeks to implead itself in Kamal movie case

Bengaluru: The Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) has filed an application before the Karnataka High Court, seeking to implead in the petition filed by Raajkamal Films International, Chennai, the producers of Kamal Haasan starrer movie ‘Thug Life’.

The application filed through its president Mahesh Joshi, has stated that constitutional protection under Article 19(1)( a) is not absolute and does not extend to the statements that are likely to provoke unrest or public harmony, especially, where such statements pertain to the dignity and identity of a language and its people.

“The public expressions of disappointment, protest or calls for boycotting the film are democratic and constitutionally protected, the very constitution the petitioner invokes to protect himself. Peaceful opposition to the release of the film is not equivalent to unlawful threat warranting state protection,” the application has stated.

The high court had adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by Rajkamal Films after the petitioners informed that the film will not be released in Karnataka until a dialogue with the KFCC yields any result.

The petition is listed for further consideration on June 13. The petitioner said the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has decided to ban the movie for the actor’s remarks that the language – Kannada – is born out of language – Tamil. The KFCC has demanded an apology from the actor.