Calcutta High Court Allows Release of Film

The Calcutta High Court has allowed the release of the film 'The Diary of West Bengal', scheduled for August 30, despite a petition claiming it contains communal depictions that could disrupt social harmony. Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam emphasized that in a democratic society, individuals can choose whether or not to watch the film, asserting that West Bengal is a tolerant community welcoming healthy criticism. The court noted that if anyone finds the content objectionable post-release, they can seek legal recourse. The film, directed by Sanoj Mishra and centered around the Bangladesh Liberation War, previously faced scrutiny when its trailer prompted police questioning of the director. This decision follows a recent history where the state government banned another film, 'The Kerala Story', which was also criticized for potentially inciting communal unrest. The court will revisit the matter for further hearings in three weeks.