SAMEER SHANKARRAO SHUKLA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, is filed with following substantive prayers:

(2.) Mr. Adwant, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners, relying upon the pleadings and grounds taken in the Petition, made following submissions:

(3.) Learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners has further submitted that the theme of the film is patently provocative and the dialogues are blasphemous. The trailer of the film appears, on the face of the things, to be mala fide and objected towards instigating disbelief against the religious beliefs of the Hindus. It is impregnated with an intention to undermine the particular castes- Bramhin and Barber. (d) The film is aimed at developing a cleavage in the society on the grounds of caste. It is an attempt to keep the ash burning whens the fire of caste system is retreating fast and reaching a point of extinction. It is further submitted that Respondent Nos.7 to 9 seem to entertain manifest aversion, repulsion and hatred for the Bramhin and Barber caste and community. The language used in the dialogues is germane to violence and enmity amongst the different sections of the society. The screenplay appears to be designed and tailored to achieve the premeditated objective of infringing the peace in the society. The film appears to be politically motivated. Even the children, who have acted in the film, have been used as the spoke- persons of Respondent Nos.7 to 9.