‘Why did a film on religious conversion come during elections?’, Shatrughan Sinha raised questions on ‘The Kerala Story’

‘If there is a right to expression, then there is also a right to administration’

Talking to our colleague ‘ETimes’, Shatrughan Sinha further says, ‘Having said this, I would also like to say that I have always stood for freedom of expression. I strongly believe that every person has the right to speak, to say, whatever he wants to say… But it cannot be at the cost of law and order of any state. If a film poses a threat to the peace of the state, then its freedom should be curtailed. If there is ‘right to expression’, then there is also ‘right to administration’.

‘Mamata Banerjee is a far-sighted leader’

Shatrughan Sinha was asked if he was talking about his party leader Mamata Banerjee, who has banned the film? Cinema’s Shotgun said, ‘Yes, Mamta Banerjee ji is a far-sighted leader. If they feel that this film can create a law and order situation, they have reasons for that. She too has always stood for freedom of expression. If they feel that the film is dangerous for a certain section of people, then they have every right to do what they feel is right.

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‘Such a film at the time of elections, the timing raises doubts’

Shatrughan Sinha concludes by saying, ‘For me, I have always stood for the right to freedom. I spoke about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits long before Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Kashmir Files’. Then the government did not pay attention. I am happy if Vivek’s film has sparked a debate on Kashmiri Pandits. Films should be made on sensitive issues. But they should be made sensitively. Why has this film about religious conversion come out at the time of elections? Its timing raises doubts.