"We Live In A Democratic Set Up": Calcutta High Court Declines To Stay Release Of 'Diary Of West Bengal' Movie

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to stay the release of a movie titled "The Diary of West Bengal" in a plea seeking to halt its release on the grounds of the movie containing communal undertones. The movie depicts events around the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya declined to grant urgent relief on the plea and held:

"Courts have repeatedly held that if you want watch the movie, watch it, if you don't then don't. We are in a democratic setup. any healthy criticism is welcome. If those who are aggrieved come, then let them approach us. West Bengal is a tolerant society...Where are we headed, if you want we will admit it and keep it pending..."

The petitioners had sought to halt the release of the movie, scheduled for tomorrow (August 29) on the grounds that it made depictions which are communal in nature, and due to the present volatile situation, it would be better to defer its release for the time being.

However, the Court held that the release of the movie could not be stayed in a PIL in such a manner and allowed it to go ahead.

The plea was listed for further hearing after three weeks.