‘Udaipur Files’ Release Stopped by High Court Amidst Hate Speech Concerns

The release of “The Udaipur Files,” a film centered around the tragic 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, has been abruptly halted by the Delhi High Court just a day before its scheduled theatrical debut.

Court Intervenes After Plea Citing Potential for Communal Unrest

The petitioners, Maulana Arshad Madani, President of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, and journalist Prashant Tondon, had appealed to the court for a permanent ban on the film’s release. Their argument centered on concerns that the film’s content promotes hate speech, unfairly targets a specific community, and carries a significant risk of inciting communal tension in the wake of the sensitive incident it portrays.

Government to Review the Film’s Content

The High Court has asked the Central Government to take a call on the matter, effectively placing the film’s release on hold until further notice. This decision underscores the gravity of the concerns raised about the film’s potential impact on social harmony and public order.