The Gujarat government has banned the release of Padmaavat in Gujarat. Their excuse is that ‘to maintain law and order, the ban is necessary’. The filmmakers and the audience should not be deprived of their profit and entertainment respectively, if the government is failing in maintaining law and order in the state. It is the duty of the government to make sure that freedom of speech and expression is practiced free of fear and hostility. Instead of banning violent and extremist groups like the Sri Rajput Karni Sena, the government is being irrational and banning the film. Now that the government has heard the voices of those who don’t want the film to be released, let it hear the voices of those who want the film’s release in the state.