As a fringe group called Karni Sena holds the country to ransom with its multiple threats of violence over the film Padmavati, the Supreme Court today said filmmakers and writers should be allowed to enjoy freedom of speech and expression and there can't be curbs put on this.

With the observation, the Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking to block the release of film 'An Insignificant Man' based on Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. The film will be screened in cinema halls on Friday as scheduled.

Rejecting the plea by Nachiketa Walhakar seeking to restrain the release of the film, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, "Courts should be extremely slow in passing restrain order" as there can't be curbs on the freedom of speech and expression.

Saying that filmmakers and writers should be allowed to enjoy freedom of speech and expression, the court said that all creative people have the right to enjoy their works in production of films and dramas.

Petitioner Walhakar had allegedly thrown ink on Kejriwal in 2013. He told the court that the video of that incident was being shown as part of promotion of the film.

ROW OVER PADMAVATI

The Supreme Court observation also comes amid an open dare by Rajput caste organisation, Karni Sena, to stop acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali from releasing his film Padmavati, based on a medieval epic titled Padmavat.

The Karni Sena has called for a country-wide bandh on December 1, the day the film is slated to be released. It has also threatened to "chop off" the nose of its main lead, actor Deepika Padukone. Police have tightened security for the filmmaker.

In its threats of violence and free rein in multiple states, the Rajput group has been backed by the senior BJP leadership. On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and hardline BJP leader Yogi Adityanath said the release of Padmavati on December 1 will pose a "law and order problem" for his state.

Rajasthan Higher and Technical Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari also joined the chorus of protests, asserting that she strongly opposes the film "made purely for making money and entertainment".

Not to be left behind as far as cashing in on identity politics is concerned, the Congress also said that if there are any scenes in Padmavati that hurt sentiments, they need to be reviewed.

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