The Supreme Court will hear a petition filed by filmmaker Leena Manimekalai on January 20, seeking quashing of multiple FIRs registered against her in various states over a poster of her documentary titled Kaali, which depicted Manimekalai dressed as Goddess Kaali, smoking a cigarette and holding a pride flag.
The Director further sought stay on proceedings in FIRs lodged against her in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before the Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on January 13, which agreed to hear the same on coming Friday.
The petitioner, who identified herself as a queer, contended that her attempt as a creative filmmaker was to depict the image of a ‘radically inclusive’ Goddess, and not to offend the religious sentiments of any person.
She said the multiple FIRs amounted to harassment and infringement of her constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Manimekalai further said that the documentary projected the kinder and broadminded traits of the goddess.
Stating that she faced several death threats and open calls for beheading, rape and other extreme forms of violence after she tweeted the poster, the Director sought action against those who attacked her on cyber space with such threats.