Top News
Ensure smooth release of Nanak film: SC (Second Lead)
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed states to ensure that there was no opposition to the release of “Nanak Shah Fakir”, a film on the first Sikh guru, set to release in India and abroad on Friday.
Directing state governments to ensure law and order, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said the freedom of expression of an artiste can’t be curtailed by a group of private people.
Issuing notice to all concerned, the court, as an interim measure, directed the states to see to it that “wherever the film is released, the law and order is maintained and no one shall be allowed to create any kind of disturbance”.
“It is the duty of the state to facilitate the enjoyment of right which has the sanction of law.”
Film producer Harinder Singh Sikka approached the top court against an order by the Akal Takht – the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion and whose decisions are generally accepted by the community – calling for a ban on the film as it had hurt religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
Chief Justice Misra said: “Once the CBFC grants the certificate, there can’t be any kind of impediment for the exhibition of the film. It is well settled that once CBFC grants a certificate, it is final.”
Noting that the producer carried out “certain excisions and modifications” suggested by the the Central Board for Fil Certification (CBFC), the court said: “Once the certificate is granted (by CBFC), unless it is nullified or modified by a superior authority, the producer has every right to exhibit the film in movie halls.
“We don’t see how a committee or a private individual can create disturbance in the release of a film.”
The court was apparently referring to a committee set up by the Akal Takht. Akal Takht had decided to set up a Sikh Censor Board and said the filmmakers will be required to seek its approval before starting a movie project in which Sikh religion or Sikhs were to be portrayed or highlighted in any manner.
“If such activities are encouraged, the same has the potentiality to bring in anarchy and cripple the right of freedom of speech and expression.
“In any case, such bodies, groups or individuals cannot assume the position as if they are the authorities to grant certificate or unless they feel that the movie is to be released, it should not see the light of the day. The thought, the least said, is unacceptable,” the court said.
Senior counsel R.S. Suri, who appeared for film producer Sikka, said the film was completed in 2015.
–IANS
pk/him/vd
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.