Kerala HC allows Catholic Congress to implead in petition filed by makers of film Haal

The Kerala High Court on Friday allowed the Catholic Congress to implead itself in a petition filed by the makers of the Malayalam film Haal expressing concern at the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) revision committee seeking the removal of half-a-dozen scenes from the movie. According to the makers, the scenes are critical to the movie’s theme.

In its affidavit, the Catholic Congress said that the film portrays the Thamarassery bishop as a supporter of ‘love jihad’. This is defamatory, hurts the religious sentiments of the Christian community, and could disturb peace in society, it said. To a suggestion by the organisation’s counsel that the judge watch the movie to arrive at a conclusion, the court said that it could watch the movie and posted the case for hearing on Tuesday.