VIJAYAWADA: The high court on Friday directed the petitioners to submit original version of ‘Chintamani’ book along with its English translated version to the court. The court also observed that the state government has ample administrative powers to regulate when something is not regulated.
Narsapuram MP K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju and some others moved the high court challenging the GO issued by the state government banning Chintamani stage play. The petitioners contended that the stage play is being exhibited since many decades and the government acted unilaterally by banning the play based on a representation by one community.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, PVG Umesh Chandra said the livelihood of 5,000 to 7,000 artists is at stake because of the blanket ban on the stage play. Alleging that the state government’s decision is in violation of freedom of speech, artistic freedom and the right to life of artists who depended on the play, he said the book based on which the play was written is still in vogue but the play has been banned, curtailing the rights of the artists.
The high court bench headed by Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice DVSS Somayajulu observed that according to the affidavit filed by the state government, the play has been banned as it is demeaning a particular religion. The court cannot tolerate if any religion is demeaned. The bench further asked to place the book that is originally written and its translated English version before the court so that they can understand what was there in the book and in the play which is contrary to the book. Declining to give interim orders, the high court posted the matter for further hearing to August 17.
