Sarkar Row: Will not waive free speech and refrain from criticising govt, AR Murugadoss to Madras HC

Movie director AR Murugadoss on Wednesday informed the Madras High Court that he will not undertake to refrain from criticising the government, as requested by the state during the last hearing in the anticipatory bail plea moved by him..Muragadoss had moved the plea apprehending arrest after members of the ruling AIADMK party objected to scenes in his recent movie, Sarkar, which allegedly portray former Chief Minister and AIADMK head J Jayalalithaa and the ruling government in bad light..Appearing for Murugadoss, Advocate R Vivekanandan submitted yesterday that he is not bound to waive his fundamental right to free speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution by undertaking to not criticise the government in the future. Referring to Article 19, it was argued that Murugadoss was well within his rights to make the movie..“If an offence is made out, let them register the case,” he said..The sentiment was also echoed in brief arguments made on Tuesday, when Vivekanandan informed the Court that the film scenes objected to were removed only to give quietus to the matter, and not on account of any admitted wrongdoing..This was in response to the state’s request, through Public Prosecutor A Natarajan, that Murugadoss give an undertaking to the Court that he would not indulge in making such objectionable scenes which criticise the government in the future, given the likely public unrest they could cause. In an impleading petition brought in the matter, one G Devarajan has also registered his objection to scenes in the movie that insult the Tamil Nadu government..In view of the state’s submission, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan had adjourned the matter for Wednesday, so that instructions may be obtained from Murugadoss as to whether he would want to submit such an undertaking to the satisfaction of the state. However, since Murugadoss has made it clear that he has no such intention, the Court yesterday granted the state two weeks to register a case if a cognisable offence is made out..If a case is registered, the matter may then be examined on merits, the Court observed. In the meantime, the Court’s earlier order granting Murugadoss interim protection from arrest has been extended. The matter will be taken up next on December 13..Image taken from here.