Bombay High Court rejects CBFC's objections to 'Inn Galiyon Mein', says board exceeded guidelines
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has dismissed several objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding scenes and dialogues in the film Inn Galiyon Mein, stating that the board was "stretching its own guidelines a bit too much."
The film’s director, Vinod Kumar, had challenged the CBFC’s suggested modifications, which included excisions, insertions, and deletions. One of the primary objections was over a scene depicting a flag being trampled. CBFC’s counsel, Advocate Vinit Jain, argued that such visuals should not be allowed, asserting that “a flag of any nature ought not to be treated in such an insulting manner.”
However, Justice Manish Pitale dismissed the concern, agreeing with the petitioner’s argument that the flag did not represent any nation or political party. Instead, it belonged to a fictional party in the film, linked to a character inciting communal disharmony, who is ultimately defeated.
“Mere trampling of the flag cannot be said to be objectionable, particularly when it neither represents the flag of a nation nor that of any political party,” the court observed.
The CBFC also sought to remove the phrase "Goli maro salon ko," citing its reference to a neighbouring country. The court found no issue with it, noting that the film portrays those using such language as being defeated by rational characters.
“This court is of the opinion that in the context of the entire film, particularly in the light of the sequence or scenes that lead up to the said dialogue, nothing objectionable is found, and the respondent-CBFC is stretching its own guidelines a bit too much while raising the aforesaid objection,” the order stated.
Similarly, the board objected to the dialogue "Ye desh aisa hi chalega" and insisted on removing the word "Desh." The court ruled against this, stating that in the film’s context, it was not objectionable.
While the filmmakers voluntarily accepted some modifications suggested by the CBFC, the court directed them to submit a revised version of the film within a week. The CBFC must then issue a UA-12 certificate within the following week.
Set in Lucknow, Inn Galiyon Mein stars Javed Jaffrey, Vivaan Shah, and Avantika Dasani. The film revolves around a romance between protagonists from different communities, set against the backdrop of an election influenced by fake rumours.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
