The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded the Karnataka High Court for demanding an apology from actor Kamal Haasan over his controversial comments at the audio launch of his film ‘Thug Life’. The remarks—where Haasan said Kannada evolved from Tamil—had triggered backlash, leading to legal action and threats of a ban.
A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan made it clear that the High Court’s demand for an apology was completely out of line. “It is not the business of the High Court to ask for apologies for someone’s opinion,” the court declared.
In a significant move, the Supreme Court transferred all related cases to itself, underscoring that the rule of law cannot be dictated by mobs or vigilante threats. “We cannot let the streets be taken over by mobs,” the bench warned.
The court further ruled that any film certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) must be allowed to screen legally, regardless of public outrage. It directed the Karnataka government to respond within a day and fixed the next hearing for June 19, 2025.
The verdict is being seen as a major win for freedom of expression, affirming that constitutional rights cannot be silenced by threats or outrage. Citing the landmark “Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy” case, the apex court reminded that even controversial views deserve legal protection in a democracy.
