The Madras high court on Thursday directed the counsel for producer of the Tamil film Thuppakki, starring Vijay, to make arrangements to screen the film in court on January 10.

A division bench of Justices R. Banumathi and K.K. Sasidharan posted to January 10 further hearing of the petition by T. Abdul Rahim, the general secretary of Indian National League party, which sought a direction to the Union government to cancel the ‘U’ certificate issued to the film as it allegedly promotes enmity between Muslim youths and people of other communities.

Special government pleader I.S. Inbadurai submitted that the state government has taken a firm step in this matter. Most Muslim leaders have approached the chief minister to urge that the objectionable portions in the film be removed.

In this connection, the home secretary convened a meeting with parties concerned on November 15 and five scenes had been removed. On November 28, the Muslim leaders met the chief minister and thanked her for her timely intervention, he added.

When the bench asked R. Sankarasubbu, counsel for the petitioner whether he had seen the movie, Sankarasubbu said he had not seen the film.

The bench then asked how it was being said that the objectionable portions had not been removed and directed the producer of the film to make arrangements for screening the movie in court.

According to petitioner, the producer and director intentionally conspired to use words and actions promoting enmity between Muslim youths and people of other communities, deliberately projecting all Muslim youth as terrorists.

The Union government simply accorded sanction to exhibit the movie and granted U certificate to the film, which was violative of Article 19 (2) of the Constitution, the petitioner contended.