Pre-censorship of plays, dramas not mandatory: Maha govt to HC

The Maharashtra government today clarified to the Bombay High Court that pre-censorship of plays was no longer mandatory in the state and a notification to this effect was issued in March this year.
Advocate Vishal Thadani, appearing for the Maharashtra government, informed the court that as per the notification, the rules for Licensing and Controlling Places of Public Amusement (other than cinemas) and Performance for Public Amusement including Melas and Tamashas will not include plays and dramas henceforth.
As per the notification, the rules are not applicable to classical music and dance programmes, dramas and plays.
A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak was hearing a petition filed by well known filmmaker and actor Amol Palekar challenging the rules.

Palekar had termed the rules as arbitrary and violative of the fundamental rights of a citizen guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
Under section 33(1)(wa) of the Bombay Police Act, the commissioner of police or superintendent of police can frame rules for regulation in the interest of public order, decency or morality and prior scrutiny of such performances and of the script was made mandatory. After scrutiny a certificate would be issued subject to conditions.
"This pre-censorship leads to curtailment of artistic freedom. Because of this, many historic plays have not been performed in their original form," the petition contended.

After hearing the government's clarification today, the bench directed Palekar's lawyer to take instructions from the petitioner (Palekar) and posted the matter for further hearing on October 4.