NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday suspended VV Vijeesh, a member of its Kerala unit who moved Kerala high court seeking a ban on Malayalam film “L2: Empuraan,” over some of its scenes, including one alluding to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
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The letter of suspension for Vijeesh, a former member of BJP’s Thrissur district committee, was signed by Justin Jacob, head of BJP’s Thrissur city district unit.
Earlier in the day, a bench of Kerala high court’s Justice CS Dias, refused to grant interim relief on Vijeesh’s plea for immediate ban on the Mohanlal, Prithivraj-starrer. Prithviraj has also directed the film, which is a sequel to 2019’s “Lucifer,” also starring Mohanlal.
Justice Dias remarked the plea appeared to be a “publicity oriented move.”
“Have you watched this movie Empuraan? What is your objection? It was certified by censor board right?…I am suspecting your bona fide. Show me one complaint on incitement of violence due to this movie. Show me an FIR registered by police. These are all publicity oriented petitions, nothing else,” the judge said, according to Bar and Bench.
The bench also noted the argument from Kerala’s attorney general that the movie already had clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The court, therefore, refused to list the matter on priority and refused interim relief.
The matter will be taken up after the high court reopens following its summer break.
