Petitions Can't Create Disharmony: Supreme Court Nixes Padmavati Ban

Padmavati controversy: The Supreme Court said stalling its release would amount to 'prejudgment'

Highlights

Second request to top court asking for 'Padmavati' to be banned
Petitions can't create disharmony, endanger unity in society: judges
Censor Board must review film, we won't interfere till then: judges

New Delhi: For the second time this month, the Supreme Court refused to ban Padmavati, stating that the censor board must first review the film and provide its verdict. The Rs 190-crore movie, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has incited protests by Rajput and other Hindu groups, who allege that it distorts history, is offensive, and will provoke violence. The film's release has been indefinitely delayed, its producers said yesterday, abandoning plans for it to begin screening on December 1.

Here are the 10 latest developments in this big story:

"Pleadings in a court shouldn't create any kind of disharmony in (a) society which believes in the concept of unity and diversity," said the top court today, as it ordered the deletion of parts of the petition which sought a ban.
The request for a ban was made by an advocate who said the release of songs from the movie is problematic since the Censor Board has yet to certify the film. Top lawyer Harish Salve argued on behalf of the producers, Viacom 18. A similar request for a ban made by a group of people on November 10 had been turned down by judges.
An array of senior BJP leaders have said the film must be edited to remove scenes objected to by the Karni Sena, a group which has vandalised theatres, the sets of Padmavati and assaulted its director. But large protests have been held in different cities including Chittor in Rajasthan, which was home to Padmini, the Rajput Queen.
The movie is based on an epic poem. The queen, whose beauty had captivated Delhi sultan Alauddin Khilji, set herself on fire to save her honour after he killed her husband in battle. The Karni Sena alleges the movie hints at a romance between the two lead characters.
Sanjay Bhansali has denied this; the producers' application for review by the censor board, necessary for its release, was rejected last week because the petition was reportedly incomplete.
Congress leaders have echoed the BJP in stating that the sentiments of Rajputs must not be hurt. Today, Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, said he supports the protests.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said even if the film is okayed for release, he will ensure it does not screen in his state.
Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Bhansali have been given state security after they were threatened by violence. A BJP leader from Haryana who offered Rs 10 crore for their heads yesterday has been ordered today by the party to explain his outrageous comments.
Several union ministers including Uma Bharti have said the film-makers should consult with the Sena and historians to arrive at an iteration that is satisfactory to them. Film-makers have argued that the freedom of expression is thoroughly compromised by this approach.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia has written to the centre urging it not to allow the film's release till changes are made. Yogi Adityanath, who leads Uttar Pradesh, has warned of law and order problems if the movie is screened.