Supreme Court today dismissed the plea of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments asking for a ban on the release of “Padmaavat”. The apex court pulled up both the state governments and gave strict instructions to implement its order of last week, allowing for the film to be released across the countries theaters.

The court also instructed the governments to take necessary steps to maintain law and order in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Both MP and Rajasthan had cited possible law and order situations and a plea was made to disallow the controversial movie from being screened in their states. To this, the apex court responded that the states themselves had given air to the controversy to begin with, and now were approaching the court to intervene.

With the movie scheduled to release on 25 Jan, a day before Republic Day, the SC had earlier said that it was the respective state governments job and constitutional duty to deal with any law and order situation arising from the release of the movie and to prevent any incidents from happening is also a part of the same duty.

Further, the SC even laid restraint on the state governments from issuing any order to disallow the release of the film. The producers and director had earlier petitioned the SC against the ban.

Earlier, the four states, viz. Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP and Chattisgarh had petitioned to the SC that though the censor board had cleared the film with minor changes, taking into consideration film making and ethical aspects, it had overlooked what the state governments had to factor in – possible law and order challenges arising from volatile social dynamics. The apex court, however, while clearing the film for an all India release, had indicated aspects related to sanctity and inviolability of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech, both being constitutional rights.

Many fringe groups across the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have opposed the release, citing distortion of history and showing the Rajput community in an unacceptable manner.