'Good Move': P&H High Court Backs Punjab's Crackdown On Content Glorifying Lawrence Bishnoi's Crimes

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Friday commended the Punjab government for blocking online content glorifying gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, including his interviews on digital platforms.

"That's a good move by you", orally said Chief Justice Sheel Nagu after Punjab AG Maninderjit Singh Bedi submitted that the State has blocked over 2,600 links relating to glorification of Bishnoi's crimes.

The development ensued in a PIL filed by Ludhiana MP Raja Warring through Advocate Nikhil Ghai seeking an urgent stay on the proposed release and streaming of the web series “Lawrence of Punjab” on the OTT platform ZEE5.

Following Punjab Government's request, ZEE5 was advised not to release the movie and in the light of the same the plea was disposed of.

During the hearing, the Punjab government submitted that it is against such movies which glorify crime and spoils the youth. In this backdrop, the State had also written to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on April 22, against the release of the series.

Significant to note that earlier too, the High Court has raised concerns over the impact of Lawrence's interview on youth.

While noting that Punjab is a border state, the Court had then said that the "anti-nationals" from across the border can also use the influenced youths which can turn into a threat to national security. "There is a thin line between anti-national activities, extortion and target killing," the Court had said.

The present PIL highlighted concerns relating to public order and societal harmony.

Ghai contended that the impugned web series is based on the life and activities of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and seeks to depict his “rise” from a student leader to the head of a criminal syndicate.

He submitted that the portrayal of a real-life gangster's rise, power, and influence may glorify criminal activity; such content could have an adverse impact on impressionable minds, particularly the youth; It may disturb public order and societal harmony in a sensitive state like Punjab, Streaming such content without adequate safeguards reflects a lack of responsible regulation of OTT platforms.

"Content on internet-based platforms has a far wider reach compared to print media, and its audio-visual nature makes it more impactful and influential. Such content can be easily accessed by a large section of society, including both literate and illiterate persons, thereby increasing the risk of youth and other impressionable individuals being influenced and drawn towards criminal or gangster-related activities," the Punjab government's letter to the Centre stated.

Case: AMARINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING V/S UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

Advocate Nikhil Ghai for the petitioner.

Senior Advocate AG Maninderjit Singh Bedi for Punjab.

Senior Advocate ASG Satyapal Jain for Union.