The court held that the freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) must be balanced with restrictions under Article 19(2), allowing for the restraint of content that may shatter religious beliefs and lead to public unrest.

ORDER

W.P.(C) No. 21986 of 2026 & I.A. No. 13262 of 2026

1. This writ petition was not on board today. On being mentioned, the same was published in Special List and was taken up for hearing along with W.P.(C) No.21693 of 2026, which was on board.

2. Issue notice both in the writ petition as well as in I.A. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties.

3. Mr. Debasish Tripathy, learned Additional Government Advocate appears opposite parties No.1 and 2. Mr. Prasanna Kumar Parhi, learned Deputy Solicitor General of India along with Mr. Asutosh Mohanty, learned Central Government Counsel appears for opposite party No.3. Mr. Gautam Mukherjee, learned Senior Advocate appears for opposite party No.6 and they waive the service of notice as they have already been served with copies of the writ petition and also the I.A.

4. Let the notice be issued to opposite parties No.4 and 5 by speed post with A.D., making it returnable before the next date, requisites for which shall be filed within three working days.

5. The instant Public Interest Litigation is filed at the behest of the petitioners seeking relief in the form of writ of mandamus directing Central Board of Film Certification to revoke the Certificate No. DIL/1/12026-CUT and to restrain the opposite parties not to allow public exhibition/screening and release of the animated film “Mahaprabhu Jagannath” within the State of Odisha.

6. It is highlighted in the instant Public Interest Litigation that on 06.06.2026 Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. published the teaser in the You Tube channel announcing the release of an animated film titled “Mahaprabhu Jagannath” on 10th July, 2026. Subsequently, there was a wide spread dissention on the title as well as the content of the said film across the people of the State of Odisha including the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, which compelled the producer to exhibit the said film in the auditorium in presence of the Temple Administration as well as Gajapati Maharaja, Puri, where several objections were raised to the depiction of certain incidents which are opposed to the established religious traditions, the spiritual history and the practice prevalent since ages. The Indian Express released an article narrating the screening of the said animated film and the objection being raised from the viewers present thereat and it was assured by the producer to make necessary changes which shall be in commensurate with the well established religious belief, tradition and cultural aspect.

7. Out of the blue, the producer without making the substantial and/or necessary changes, not only in the narratives, but also the depiction in animated form announced the release of the said film on 17th July, 2026. The petitioner has succinctly highlighted the objectionable portion of the said animated film, where the fictional childhood or the personal adventure of Lord Jagannath has been portrayed, which is not in tune with the religious texts of the Skandha Purana and the Brahma Purana. The animated actor playing the role of Lord Jagannath was also shown to be speaking and behaving in an invented manner, which are not in conformity with the devotional literature and the temple traditions and the cultures practiced and/or professed since the advent of the establishment of the Lord Jagannath Temple. The fictional battle and/or the adventural sequences relating to Lord Jagannath have also been included within the said picture, which not only tarnishes the belief of the devotees of Lord Jagannath, but also may invite a large scale of commotion amongst them.

8. On the other