Nanak Shah Fakir to hit theatres tomorrow as SC, HC refuse to stall screening

Two Sikh bodies today made unsuccessful attempts in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court to stall the release of the movie 'Nanak Shah Fakir', which would hit theatres across the nation tomorrow.

Both the top court and the high court rejected the respective pleas of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to accord urgent hearing. But later, the Supreme Court listed the matter for hearing on April 16 and the high court for April 22.

As the apex court began its proceedings this morning, SGPC mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra seeking modification of its order allowing the release of the film.

However, the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, refused urgent hearing, saying once a film has been granted certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), its release can only be stalled through lawful means.

A few hours later during the post-lunch session, SGPC counsel Satender Singh Gulati again made an attempt to get some relief but the bench stuck to its stand and refused to budge from its morning order.

The SGPC lawyer referred to the 2003 resolution of the apex Sikh body and said that nobody can be allowed to portray the lives of ten Sikh gurus, their families and the 'panj pyare' on screen and otherwise.

However, the court said "the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has already granted the certification. Outsiders cannot be allowed to curtail the freedom of speech and expression."
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, which issued notices and sought responses of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CBFC and film's producer Harinder S Sikka, said the "release of the film cannot be interdicted"