Name of the Case: M. Mahesh Reddy v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
Citation: W.P.(C) No. 575/2025
Bench: Hon’ble Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan
Date: 19.05.2025
Responding to the rising tide of mob censorship, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India closed a high stakes Public Interest Litigation revolving around the unofficial ban on the screening of the film ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka, while asserting that the artistic content that has been certified lawfully, cannot be silenced by threats or protests. The PIL challenged the effective ban on the film, following multiple threats issued by mob groups angered by the remarks attributable to actor-producer Kamal Haasan, regarding the origin of the Kannada language. Despite the Karnataka government’s denial of any formal ban on the film and a reassurance of protection for the screening of the same, the Apex court took the opportunity to address the broader constitutional issue, and affirm that censorship induced via fear has no place in a democratic constitutional order.
The bench condemned the increasing trend of using “hurt sentiments” as a tool to suppress free speech, while warning against disruptions that undermine both the rule of law and right of free speech under Article 19(1)(a). The Hon’ble Court upheld that a film certified by the CBFC must not be obstructed by mob pressure and gave direction to the State to take prompt action if any individual or group resorts to unlawful means to prevent its screening, additionally emphasizing that governments cannot abdicate their duty by deferring to mob pressure1.
