Case 21 of 30 in Law Easy's Media Law series. S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram, Supreme Court of India, decided 1989.
FACTS
The Tamil film Ore Oru Gramathile criticised caste-based reservation. After review the board gave it a 'U' certificate, but some argued that it hurt caste sentiments and would cause law-and-order problems. The Madras High Court revoked the certificate.
WHAT THE COURT HELD
In 1989, in a judgment by Justice K. Jagannatha Shetty, the Supreme Court restored the certificate. A film cannot be suppressed merely because some people may react violently. The danger must not be remote, conjectural or far-fetched; it must be as closely linked to the expression as a spark in a powder keg. Giving in to threats would surrender to blackmail and intimidation, and the state has a duty to protect free expression.
EXAM POINT
This is the foundation of the heckler's veto principle in Indian law.
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