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Kangana Ranaut's highly anticipated film, 'Emergency,' has faced a major setback as the Bombay High Court refused to intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding its release. The film, which delves into the controversial period of India's Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975, has been caught in a legal battle after Sikh organizations voiced strong opposition to its content, claiming it misrepresents their community. The court cited a previous ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to carefully consider the Sikh community's concerns before granting a certificate for the film's release.
The Bombay High Court's decision came after Zee Entertainment Enterprises, a co-producer of 'Emergency,' filed a petition seeking a directive to the CBFC to issue a certificate, thereby clearing the path for the film's release. However, the court ruled that issuing such a directive would directly contradict the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order, effectively leaving the film's fate uncertain for the time being. While the setback in the Bombay High Court dampened the film's release prospects, Kangana Ranaut, who is also the film's co-producer and a BJP MP, claimed a victory, stating that the court had criticized the censor board for withholding the certificate illegally.
The controversy surrounding 'Emergency' escalated after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body for Sikhs, alleged that the film misrepresented their community and demanded a ban. Following the objections, the CBFC reportedly put the certificate issuance on hold, citing concerns raised by various religious organizations. The government sources cited 'sensitive content' within the film and the potential for hurting religious sentiments, highlighting the delicate nature of the situation and the government's cautious approach to the controversy. The concerns raised by the Sikh community further escalated with two Sikh organizations filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ultimately led to the CBFC's decision to withhold the certificate.
The CBFC's actions were challenged in court, with Zee's counsel arguing that the censor board should have simply issued the certificate and allowed the state to handle any potential unrest. He emphasized that the CBFC is solely responsible for censoring content, not maintaining law and order. The CBFC's counsel countered that the certificate hadn't been issued yet as it requires the chairperson's signature. He further pointed out that the Bombay High Court could not issue a directive contradicting the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order. The Bombay High Court ultimately accepted the CBFC's argument that the certificate was not yet issued and ruled that they could not intervene in light of the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision. However, they did urge the CBFC to make a timely decision regarding the objections raised by the Sikh community, acknowledging the financial implications of delaying the film's release.
The court's decision leaves the future of 'Emergency' uncertain, with the film's release now contingent on the CBFC's decision regarding the Sikh community's concerns. The legal battles and ongoing protests highlight the delicate balance between artistic freedom and the protection of religious sentiments. As the controversy continues to unfold, the film's fate remains uncertain, leaving both fans and critics anxiously awaiting the CBFC's final decision.
Source: No Relief Yet For Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency', She Claims Court Win