Legal Desk, Delhi Magazine: The Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling today, temporarily halting the release of the contentious film ‘Humare Barah’. This decision comes as a blow to the film’s makers, who now face increased challenges following the court’s ban. The Bombay High Court had previously cleared the film for release after the filmmakers agreed to remove two dialogues deemed problematic. However, this decision was subsequently contested in the Supreme Court.
The petition against the film argues that ‘Humare Barah’ propagates hatred against Islam and contains content objectionable to married Muslim women in India.
Supreme Court’s Statement: The Supreme Court has decided to prohibit the release of ‘Humare Barah’, starring Annu Kapoor, until the Bombay High Court resolves the case. The judges remarked during the hearing, “We saw the teaser of the film in the morning and it is extremely objectionable.”
Initially scheduled for release on June 7 and later postponed to June 14, ‘Humare Barah’ faced legal hurdles when petitioner Azhar Basha Tamboli filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court. Tamboli’s petition was directed against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), demanding the revocation of the film’s certification and a complete ban on its release. The petitioner claimed the film violated the provisions and rules of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and argued that the trailer disparaged the Islamic faith and the rights of married Muslim women.
Tamboli asserted that the release of ‘Humare Barah’ would infringe upon Article 19(2) and Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. He contended that the trailer portrays married Muslim women as lacking independent rights within society.
As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court’s decision underscores the sensitivity surrounding the film’s content and the broader implications for freedom of expression and religious harmony in India.