On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to take on a petition calling for immediate protection against threats from groups opposing the screening of ‘Thug Life’, the film featuring Kamal Haasan. The Karnataka Theatres Association filed the petition under Article 32, claiming that certain fringe groups were threatening theaters in Karnataka that intended to show the movie. The production house sought assistance from the Supreme Court regarding this issue. The petitioners noted that when they previously reached out to the High Court, they were told to negotiate with the very groups making the threats. Justice PK Mishra, who was presiding over the case, responded to the petition by stating, “Why are you bringing an Article 32 petition here? Please go to the High Court,” and refused to prioritize the request, instead urging the petitioners to seek assistance from the High Court.

In a brief discussion of the case, the lawyer representing the petitioners characterized the situation as a significant law-and-order concern in Karnataka, requesting immediate action from the Supreme Court. At the heart of the issue is the ban imposed by Karnataka on the actor’s film, which followed his controversial comments regarding the origins of the Kannada language. Last week, during a hearing in the Karnataka High Court on a request for protection to screen the film, the actor stated that he would not release the movie in Karnataka at this time. The producers turned to the High Court after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce imposed a statewide ban on the film, yielding to pressures from pro-Kannada organizations.