Screen Padma, it is an order, says CJI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to budge on the pan-India release of Hindi movie Padmaavat on Thursday, dismissing an urgent prayer of the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh government to modify its last Thursday order staying the ban by any state on its screening. "It's an order, better abide by it. You (states) can advise people not to watch the movie," the judges said.

The Bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, also dismissed applications of the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, which is staging protests in many states, and the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasangh. Both wanted the court to suspend its Thursday order and give them a hearing to understand why the movie should not be allowed despite the censor board's certificate.

Dismissing the state governments' plea to block the movie, the Bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said the people must understand that an order passed by the Apex Court has to be "abided by" and it is the obligation of the states to maintain law and order.

Admitting that maintaining the law and order was State's obligation, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Rajasthan government, urged the court to appreciate the ground situation and threat to breach of peace.

"You can't first create trouble and then make a virtue out of it" said Justice Chandrachud. Seeking a clarification, Mehta said there could be a situation where, after the release of the film, there is trouble in some parts.

"Let the State honour this order. The rest we will deal with when it comes to it", Justice Khanwilkar said. The CJI added that the states can approach the court again "if the situation arises."

When Mehta persisted that he was not asking for a ban on the film but certain modification in the court's interim order passed last Thursday, the CJI shut the case reaffirming that "we are not inclined to modify our order at this stage."