Plea Opposing Online Release Of Vikram Starrer 'Thangalaan' For Allegedly Targeting Vaishnavites Withdrawn From Madras High Court

A division bench of Chief Justice KR Sriram and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy in its October 19 order noted the submissions and dismissed the case as withdrawn. The plea claimed that the movie targeted Vaishnavites and had sought a stay on its online release.

The plea was filed by Porkodi of Thiruvallur District claiming that the movie speaks about Buddhism and shows religious variation between Vaishnavites and Buddhists by showing Vashnavism and Vaishnavites in a comic role and Buddhism and Buddhists in a sacred role.

Porkodi claimed that while Buddhism is also a religious practice prevailing in the state, showing Vaishnavites in a comic role has a depressing impact. He added that the movie has been produced with the sole intention of creating difference of opinion and discrimination between Vaishnavites and Buddhists which hurt and injure the people who have strong feelings, faith and belief in Vaishnavism and causes mental agony to all Vaishnavites.

The plea also claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification has issued a certificate for releasing the movie without even scrutinising and analysing the disputed scenes which hurt and injure every Vaishnavite. He added that by portraying Vaishnavites in a comic role, the movie is targeting Vaishnavites and creating a possibility of clash between two religions.

Case Title: S Porkodi v The Secretary to Government of India and Others

Counsel for Petitioner: A Rajaram

Counsel for Respondent: Mr. A Edwin Prabhakar State Government Pleader assisted by Mr. M. Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Mad) 394

Case No: WP No. 29118 of 2024

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