Padmaavat Redux Incoming? Uttarakhand HC Dismisses Petition Seeking Ban On ‘Kedarnath’ Movie For Promoting Love Jihad
A single bench of Uttarakhand High Court comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan has rejected a petition by Swami Darshan Bharti of the Garhwal division asking for a ban over upcoming Bollywood film, Kedarnath, reports The New Indian Express. The court told Bharti to approach the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag with his grievances.
The petition had contended that the release of the film starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan should be stayed because it hurts the sentiments of the victims of the 2013 flash floods tragedy at Kedarnath shrine. Bharti also alleged that the film promoted ‘love jihad’.
Following the public outcry of Hindu groups, the Uttarakhand government had formed a committee led by Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj and consisting of Home Secretary Nitesh Kumar Jha, Director General of Police, Anit Ratoori and Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar to look into all aspects of the movie and recommend any necessary action in a report.
The final decision for the movie’s release in Uttarakhand will be taken by the government after the report is finalised. The countrywide release of the movie is due on Friday (7 December).