Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 20: Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s appeal against the numerous FIRs filed against her in various states due to the poster for her documentary ‘Kaali’ was heard by the Supreme Court of India on Friday.
A bench made up of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha heard the case. When giving notice to the States, the court ordered that no coercive action be taken against the filmmaker based on any FIRs that have already been filed or that may be filed in connection with the Kaali poster controversy.
The court further stated that filing FIRs in numerous States at this point could seriously harm Manimekalai, and as a result, it sent notice to the states requesting that all FIRs be consolidated in one location in compliance with the law.
Supreme Court directs not to take any coercive step against film-maker Leena Manimekalai.
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
Manimekalai’s attorney, Kamini Jaiswal, stated that the petitioner was a well-known Tamil poet and filmmaker whose work had received recognition and honours. She said that following the screenings of her short film ‘Kaali’ in different States, including UP, MP, Uttarakhand, and Delhi, numerous FIRs had been registered against the petitioner.
She continued by saying that there might be further FIRs filed against the petitioner that they are unaware of, and that these FIRs could lead to the filing of additional FIRs against her. She argued that the petitioner might be susceptible to coercive proceedings in other states as a result.
“A look out circular has also been issued against the petitioner. Issue notice to the respondents. List on 17th February 2023. No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner either on the basis of FIRs or pursuant to any FIR which may have been lodged or may be lodged in relation to the same matter,” CJI DY Chandrachud said while dictating the order.
“Ms Jaiswal submits that the petitioner is a graduate student at York University in Canada. She has produced a short film “Kaali” depicting the goddess. The submission is that there is no intent to hurt religious feelings. The object of the film was to depict the goddess in an inclusive sense. At this stage, it may be noted that the lodging of FIRs in multiple States may be of serious prejudice. We are inclined to issue notice so that all FIRs can be consolidated in one place in accordance with law. The petitioner shall then be at liberty to pursue remedy under Section 482.”
Several FIRs were filed in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in response to complaints about the same poster, which featured Manimekalai dressed as the goddess Kaali, smoking a cigarette, and brandishing a pride flag. The plea was submitted through attorney Indira Unninayar.
The petitioner claims that her goal in making a creative video was to portray a ‘radically inclusive goddess’ and not to hurt anyone’s religious feelings. Manimekalai, who describes herself as LGBT, claims that the documentary portrays the goddess as loving and understanding. The petitioner claims that the numerous FIRs violate her fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution, and amount to harassment.
