Mayor Shah refuses to abide by high court order on Hindi films

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 23: Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has said that he would not accept the short-term interim order issued by the Patan High Court in his name not to implement his decision to impose a ban on the screening of Hindi films in Kathmandu.

A single bench of Judge Dhir Bahadur Chand issued the short-term interim order on Thursday. 

However, Mayor Shah has expressed his disapproval towards the court decision that he perceived the order challenged the sovereignty and independence of the country.

Taking to the social networking site Facebook on Thursday, Mayor Shah wrote, “When it comes to the sovereignty and independence of the country, I will not accept any law or court decision. After the film writer (Manoj Muntashir) gave his statement that once Nepal was under the rule of India, their intentions have become clear.”

He further wrote that he was ready to face any punishment but he would not allow to screen Hindi films. 

The Film Association had filed a writ in the High Court against Mayor Shah’s decision on Wednesday. 

The Association argued that it was objectionable to ban the screening of all Hindi films.  

 They sought the court’s intervention, and the court responded to them by issuing an interim order.

Taking to the social networking site Facebook on June 15, Mayor Shah urged the filmmaker to remove the misleading dialogue from the film Adipurush within three days. 

He had written, “Unless the dialogue ‘Janaki is a daughter of India’ of the South Indian film Adipurush is rectified to reflect the truth, no Hindi film will be permitted to be screened within the Kathmandu Metropolis.” 

From Monday, Mayor Shah instructed local halls not to screen any Hindi film within Kathmandu Metropolis. 

 Talking to The Rising Nepal, Gopal Kaji Kayastha, Vice Chairman of the Nepal Motion Picture Association, said that following the court decision, Hindi films will be screened starting from Friday by deploying securities in halls.

Kayastha reiterated the association’s stance against the specific film ‘Adipursh,’ but said  that they could not halt the screening of other Hindi films.