SC Refuses to Ban Movie Title Yadav Ji Ki Love Story

A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan rejected the petition filed by the chief of the Vishwa Yadav Parishad.

The petitioner contended that the film’s title reflected the Yadav community in poor light and sought directions for change of name.

Justice Nagarathna observed, “The contention is that the film’s title should be changed. However, we fail to see how the title, in itself, casts the community in a negative light. It does not contain any adjective or expression that portrays the Yadav community adversely.”

The court termed the apprehensions “wholly unfounded” and distinguished its earlier order in the “Ghooskhor Pandat” case, where the producer had been asked to change the title.

“The term “ghooskhor” translates to “corrupt” in English and, therefore, carries a negative connotation when used in reference to a community. In the present case, however, no such adverse implication is attached to the Yadav community. None of the reasonable restrictions contemplated under Article 19(2) of the Constitution are attracted. The title does not, in any manner, portray the Yadav community in a negative light. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed,” the order said.

The petitioner had also raised concerns regarding the portrayal of the female lead and alleged that the title created an offensive stereotype. Counsel submitted that while there was no opposition to inter-community marriages, the depiction of a woman was objectionable.

The court, however, treated the film as a work of fiction and declined to interfere.