Opposition Calls for Certification of Controversial Film Amidst Censorship Concerns
Opposition MPs Demand Film Certification
Members of the opposition have urged the Union government to instruct the Central Board of Film Certification to evaluate the film The Voice of Hind Rajab in line with constitutional principles that uphold freedom of expression. They are advocating for the film to receive certification.
This appeal, dated March 24, follows reports indicating that the film's release has been obstructed.
On March 19, a local distributor informed Variety that the Central Board of Film Certification has halted the film's theatrical release in India due to concerns that it might jeopardize diplomatic relations between India and Israel.
The Oscar-nominated film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, tells the poignant story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in an attack by Israeli forces in Gaza.
This tragic event occurred in 2024 amidst extensive air and ground assaults on the Palestinian territory, which began in October 2023 and have resulted in over 70,000 fatalities.
In their correspondence to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the MPs expressed alarm over reports suggesting that the film board had 'orally declined' to grant certification to The Voice of Hind Rajab, raising doubts about whether external factors influenced this decision.
They emphasized that film certification and screening decisions should not be swayed by perceived diplomatic ties.
Artistic expression cannot be curtailed through opaque or informal censorship.
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) March 27, 2026
Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, including myself, have jointly written to the I&B Minister urging that the internationally acclaimed film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” be… pic.twitter.com/Uj4cnXNL9j
The MPs asserted that it is a fundamental tenet of democracy that artistic expression should not be suppressed through informal or unclear censorship methods.
They warned that any deviation from established procedures, including informal directives that lead to the denial of certification, could undermine the credibility of institutions and diminish public trust in regulatory bodies responsible for safeguarding creative freedom.
They concluded by stating that India's democratic resilience is reflected in its ability to allow diverse narratives to be explored and discussed publicly.
The letter cautioned that reliance on factors outside statutory guidelines, including perceived geopolitical sensitivities, could set a troubling precedent that contradicts the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Signatories included Jairam Ramesh from the Congress, John Brittas from the Trinamool Congress, Ram Gopal Yadav and Javed Ali Khan from the Samajwadi Party, Manoj Kumar Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Salma from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Sarfaraz Ahmad from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Haris Beeran from the Indian Union Muslim League.