Amol Palekar wants HC to dismiss pre-censorship of play scripts

Actor-director Amol Palekar has approached the Bombay High Court, claiming that the pre-censorship of scripts for plays in the state, is curtailing freedom of speech and expression

Amol Palekar

Actor-director Amol Palekar has approached the Bombay High Court, claiming that the pre-censorship of scripts for plays in the state, is curtailing freedom of speech and expression. He has challenged the rules that make pre-censorship mandatory by the Maharashtra State Performance Scrutiny Board.

Palekar has filed the petition through his counsels Sugandh Deshmukh and Kalyani Tulankar. Palekar has claimed that Bombay Police Act section 33 (1) (wa) and 138 and 139 of Rules for Licencing and Controlling Places of Public Amusement including Melas and Tamashas, 1960, is violation of freedom of speech and expression.

In violation
Maharashtra and Gujarat are the only states where this practice is followed. “If before performance the script is checked, the right feelings are not conveyed, and section 33 (1) (wa) of Bombay Police Act is violation of article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution of India,” Palekar said in the petition, who is supported by noted actor Girish Karnad.

The petition seeks that the court dismiss the pre-censorship of scripts of plays like that done by the Madras High Court, and has been kept for hearing by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Mahesh Sonak after two weeks.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!