SC Dismisses Brahman Samaj Plea To Ban 'Article 15' Screening

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by Brahman Samaj seeking a ban on the screening of the film 'Article 15'.

The bench headed by Justice S A Bobde said that the petitioner can approach the 'appropriate authority' with their grievances against the name and content of the movie.

The Samaj approached the Court taking objection to the title of the film by stating that commercial use of 'Article 15' violates Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950.

Allowing the use of Constitutional provisions as film titles will create misconception in the minds of people about the Constitution and should not be permitted, said the petition.

The petition also claimed that the movie spreads caste hatred and portrays upper castes in bad light.

The Ayushman Khurrana starrer,released on June 28, addresses the issue of atrocities against Dalits in the light of Baduan gang rape-murders of 2014 and Una floggings of 2016 which took place in Uttar Pradesh.

Last week, the Uttarakhand High Court had criticized the SDM Roorkee who had issued prohibitory orders against the screening of the film.