Law Relating To Censorship in India A Critical Study With Special Reference To Films

Abstract

newlineFreedom of speech and expression is one of the most cherished rights that is given to us by the Constitution. Freedom of Speech and expression is important not for protecting the rights of the film makers but also because free speech helps to make the democracy work better. It is also important because the viewers also have the right to watch what they want to. Time and again it has been reiterated how important freedom of speech and expression is for an individual and society. newlineThe Indian film industry has shown a phenomenal growth in terms of the films that they are producing every year. The film market has grown in leaps and bounds. In spite of the fact that India is producing so many films every year, the certification of film in India is somewhat a politically fraught process. The fact that every now and then the film produced in India is censored instead of being certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under The Cinematograph Act, 1952, goes against the most cherished fundamental right that is guaranteed to us by the Constitution i.e freedom of speech and expression. newlineToday when the word has become a global village, people are flying across the continents in few hours, dissemination of information is just a click away, and the growth of so many other forms of media has practically made the concept of censorship redundant. newlineKeeping in pace with the globalized world and the fact that every now and then we hear that the film is being censored have further highlighted the need for a review of the existing legislative framework and whether it conforms to the most cherished fundamental right i.e. freedom of speech and expression.