HC dismisses plea against Mersal

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking the revocation of the censor certificate to Mersal on the grounds that the Tamil film starring Vijay was full of false propaganda on the Goods and Service Tax (GST).

Dismissing the private petition filed by lawyer A Asvathaman, justice MM Sundresh and justice M Sundar said in a mature democracy, voices of minorities cannot be suppressed and it was for viewers to decide whether they wanted to watch a film. They said if Asvathaman wanted to protest, he should be protesting against untouchability and other social evils.

Vijay’s Diwali release kicked up a row after the BJP objected to references to the central government’s GST policy in the movie. BJP leaders, including state president Tamilisai Soundarajan and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, demanded that the “incorrect” references be deleted from the big-budget flick.

Asvathaman also contended that the film contained wrong information on GST that can lead to misconception over the new tax regime but the court held that everyone had the right to express their opinions.

He also told the court that the film made fun of the Digital India project. “They’re saying there’s no money in India and doing comedy on it,” said Asvathaman, referring to a scene where comedian

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If you really care about social good, you could come to court about scenes where people are drinking and smoking. You could come to court for disabled people being depicted badly. Instead, you’re coming for this. MADRAS HC BENCH

Vadivelu shows his meaty wallet and says no one carries money as it is ‘Digital India’.

The judges, in turn, questioned him and said, “Do you know how many people in India are malnourished? Opposition leaders have spoken against demonetisation. So, can we put a case on them for it?”

When Asvathaman said the film’s dialogues were wrong, the judges asked him why was he making a big issue of it.

“Some films have scenes where the hero steals from the rich and gives it to the poor. If you really care about social good, you could come to court about scenes where people are drinking and smoking. You could come to court for disabled people being depicted badly. Instead, you’re coming for this,” they added.

Vijay’s film has already crossed the ₹100 crore-mark worldwide at the box office.