For those who have been following the news about Prakash Jha’s film Aarakshan, It’s an easy guess as to what prompted me to venture into this area. The film is about various aspects of the education process, the reservation policy being just one of them. The film was banned by the State of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The reason for the ban is multifold – As per the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government - the film, if released might create law and order problem in the state. As per the Andhra Pradesh government – the film may hurt the sentiments of weaker sections. The Punjab Government which banned the film initially allowed its release after the producer agreed to make certain changes to the concerned scenes. The ban across all these states is based on representations made by the SC/ST panel.
Apparently, the film has remarks about reservation system which is allegedly anti Dalit. Who decides what is anti-Dalit is of course an issue that deserves another post itself.
The biggest joke is that the UP government is banning the film for only 2 months from the date of release. In today’s digital era, with pirated DVD’s flooding the market even before a movie releases (being an eternal movie buff who loves watching movies in cinema halls – can’t still figure out, why can’t this menace be curbed) and movies being aired on satellite channels within few days of their release, which film maker in his right senses will plan a movie re-release after 2 months.
I never gave much thought to the Censor board certificate which precedes the screening of any film. The recent developments around the movie Aarakshan – got me curious enough to dig deeper into, what this Censor Board or CBFC is all about.
In layman terms, The Central Board of Film Certification (popularly known as the Censor Board or CBFC) is set up under the provisions of The Cinematograph Act, 1952. It is a government of India regulatory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after certification by the Board.
According to the Supreme Court - Film censorship becomes necessary because a film motivates thought and action and assures a high degree of attention and retention as compared to the printed word. The combination of act and speech, sight and sound in semi darkness of the theatre with elimination of all distracting ideas will have a strong impact on the minds of the viewers and can affect emotions. Therefore, it has as much potential for evil as it has for good and has an equal potential to instill or cultivate violent or good behavior. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary.
Fair enough - but the only concern is if a regulatory board set up by the Government of India with 25 members give clearance to a movie, what business do these states have to ban or put an embargo on its release.
The entire visual media were airing shows on these developments with the film makers justifying the film on one side and another section defending the ban – must have clocked good TRPs. The last we hear is that the producer has approached the Supreme Court for removing the stay.
I would like to borrow the words of Komal Nahata – the famed critic’s quote on the development- "It’s politically motivated and brainless with no application of mind. When Censor Board has cleared it, why should anybody have a problem with this?"
If the government cannot uphold or protect the constitutional right of freedom of expression, why do we need such rights? Is it not the right of people to judge the merit in a film once it is cleared by the Censor board?
If the Central Government feels that the Censor Board is doing its job, they should provide protection for the peaceful release of these movies.
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