Editorials
Censorship and content regulation have long played a role in the production and distribution of artistic works in India. The ongoing journey to strike the right balance between necessary oversight and creative freedom has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years. From films to music, government interventions have influenced the creative process to ensure that the content produced does not pose social or cultural concerns.
From the removal of scenes from the movie “Udta Punjab” due to the negative portrayal of the Indian state to the “Padmavat” controversy, our country has witnessed many such instances, where the Government has intervened, citing reasons which have been criticised as well as supported by different groups of society. But Censorship has had a long-standing history in India, which goes beyond just movies and songs.
The Emergency (1975-1977): The Notorious Era of Censorship
Also known as the darkest period in India's history of press freedom, the Emergency declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi proved to be one of the most challenging times for journalists and artists. During the 21 months, Gandhi exercised complete control over the content being written and published in newspapers and broadcast on television. The government ensured that any material critical of its actions or intentions would not see the light of day. Those who dared to publish without prior approval faced severe consequences.
Several journalists and editors were jailed without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). Kuldip Nayar, a senior journalist and outspoken critic of the Emergency, was arrested under the same act. He spent several months in jail for opposing the government's actions and speaking up for press freedom.
These arrests created a climate of fear and led to widespread self-censorship. Even Doordarshan and All India Radio were used as tools for whitewashing the government’s image.
Read more about Kuldip Nayar and his contributions!
Censorship: Excessive control of the Government
As the Indian film and media industries have evolved, government scrutiny over the nature of published content has noticeably increased. A prevailing trend indicates that most media houses tend to align their narratives with the ruling party, often sidelining dissenting voices. When the Congress held power, media coverage largely favored them; now, with the BJP in power for several years, the narrative has shifted accordingly. This pattern underscores the argument that the government exerts indirect yet significant influence over media content.
Filmmakers also suffer tremendously due to the censorship process, the Censor Board sometimes proves to be a barrier between the artist and the audience. For example, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initially denied a certificate to the film “Lipstick Under My Burkha”, saying it was “lady-oriented” and contained “sexual scenes and abusive words.” Critics argued this was an unjustified act of moral policing, as the film simply portrayed the inner lives and desires of women in a conservative setting.
Read more about Lipstick Under My Burkha Censorship!
Why is Content Regulation Needed, then?
This question might arise in the minds of a lot of our readers, and it's valid. Censorship and content regulation are often seen as something negative, and surely, some aspects need to be improved. But Censorship is an extremely important and crucial part of any artistic process, especially in a country like India where there is diversity of cultures and differences of opinions. India is one of the highest consumers of Pornographic content, and censorship is required for such sensitive topics, so that the integrity of Indian society can be maintained.
Take a look at this report about India’s Consumption of Pornographic content!
Conclusion
Content Regulation is a double-edged sword, which needs to be handled by the government carefully and skillfully. Anything that is done from the perspective of agenda setting and propaganda building in the name of content regulation should be stopped as it harms the creativity of artists and discourages them. And in the same way the artists should also be considerate and aware enough, not to write or produce content that challenges the country's integrity and peace in any way.
Members Discussion