Kerala HC On Arundhati Roy Book Cover: Cigarette Disclaimer Needed

The Kerala High Court directed that a statutory health warning be added to the cover of Arundhati Roy’s novel “Mother Mary Comes to Me” as it depicts a person smoking. The Court reasoned that tobacco control laws require such disclaimers even in artistic or literary depictions. It balanced freedom of expression with public health obligations under tobacco regulations. The ruling highlights judicial willingness to extend statutory compliance to creative industries, ensuring that public health messaging is not diluted. It reflects the judiciary’s proactive stance in harmonizing artistic freedom with legislative mandates.