SC rejects plea for deletion of 'jauhar' scenes from 'Padmavaat'

The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea by social activist Swami Agnivesh seeking deletion of scenes from the Deepika Padukone-starrer 'Padmaavat' on the ground that it eulogised the banned practice of 'Jauhar' and 'Sati' among Hindus.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra rejected Angivesh's plea which also sought lodging of an FIR against the producer and director of the film for glorifying the social evil of 'jauhar' (self immolation by widows on their husband's funeral pyre).

"Once the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) clears the movie, deletion of scenes cannot be directed," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

Lawyer Mehmood Pracha, appearing for Agnivesh, said the Delhi High Court failed to appreciate the fact the society would be benefitted if the glorification of 'sati' in the film Padmaavat' was prevented.

The bench, which did not agree with the submissions, referred to the novel "Devdas," written by eminent novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and said, "Read the book and see its celluloid version in which veteran actor Dilip Kumar has performed the role of main character Devdas - who turns alcoholic for the loss of love."
It said that even the writer did not approve or glorify the alcholisim and asked, "Has any lover become alcoholic because of the film Devdas."