Indian Censorship has been often criticized for its conservative and hypocrite ways. It suppresses freedom of speech, expression, presentation, etc which goes against the very own laws of the Constitution. Especially when it comes to media, film, and internet, the censorship practiced has been found notoriously controversial. Similarly, they practice strict action against the ratings and content appropriate for audiences of certain age groups. While it, without doubt, handled with the best interest of children in mind, it can often sound and look over the top. At the age of 16, I sneaked into the theatre to watch Conjuring 2 because a PG13 Hollywood movie was rated R in India. For further clarification, it was rated so only for the horror aspect which might seem a little too much considering parental guidance as in PG13 could have been perfectly alright in the circumstances. Until the legal age of becoming an adult in India, Censorship also restricts content on Youtube with the help of your email ID details in the Google account. However, a vice in these restrictions is that even though some “forbidden” sites are banned from access, people using the internet have unlimited content to browse through at one site or the other. With the use of proxy servers and VPNs (Virtual Private Network), it has become even more easier to hide one’s internet activity from the internet service provider and government. The real question here arises is what are the pros and cons in the practice of censorship in general and amidst strict rules in India in particular.

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In simple words, Censorship is nothing but the control and supervision of information that can be found offensive and harmful for the society. Nevertheless, before we move on, we need to clarify what can be categorized as offensive content. Sex, nudity, curse words, political and religious agitation, violence, sensitive media and up till some point in the past homosexuality and transsexual voices were considered as “vulgar and offensive” at several occasions in India, also taking certain other factors into consideration. The frustration that many audiences and especially filmmakers have against the Censor board is unparalleled. It came to a saturation point not many years ago with movies like Sanjay Leela Bansali’s “Padmavat” formerly known as “Padmavati” becoming a central victim of religions and political opinion. The fictitious movie inspired by events of the past aroused aggressive feelings among the Rajputs and Karni Sena who also threatened to murder actress Deepika Padukone who played Padmavati. Similarly Karan Johar’s “Ae dil hai mushkil” suffered the same fate with slightly toned down riots compared to Padmavat. This was against the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the movie, following the attack on Kashmir by Pakistan. In the end, both the movies received a positive verdict with the former having to make visible changes and several cuts in the film. It also, in turn, affected the business at the box office considering it deserved more financial profits than it received. The attempt of the censor board towards this matter was a diplomatic one and helped curb the offensive environment that had been created over a span of several months. However, the easy pass on movies like the Hate Story franchise, Love Games, One Night Stand, Wajah Tum Ho, etc that are centrally based on intimacy to attract audience exposes the self-contradicting nature of the Indian Censor Board. Objectification of women in item songs that have been an ancient norm in Bollywood movies are not offensive but powerful movies with honest themes like sexuality, abuse, drug dealings, and rape cases face ban in the name of sensitive and vulgar content. On one hand, it proves to be an accurate decision for selective audiences like children who do not have a developed opinion to differentiate between right and wrong, but the loopholes in the functioning of censorship are subject to introspection. It is also uncertain that if we steal the tools of knowledge from a child how will he/she evolve or mature to comprehend the world. This is where “there is an age for everything” comes into play. We rebel and bend rules all the time but even if the bar of 18 looks too high, it is there for an appropriate reason.

Coming under the same discussion, it is a popular debate these days about the amount of censorship that should be applied in crimes shows such as Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India. Voices and petitions have been raised for the complete ban of these shows because of the derogatory content that is raising more criminals than prevention. The exaggerated and fictitious nature of most episodes is spreading not only awareness but also false messages to the society, providing many with ideas and techniques to execute crimes. If you were to surf the same on any search engine, several cases and headlines can be observed under the category. The shows have done a very good job at raising attentiveness about the crimes being practiced on a day to day basis in our country for reasons unimaginable. It also teaches the viewer how to overcome a situation had they been unfortunately stuck in one. The active help of police is, however, questionable when you compare reality to the overstated picture presented to the audience. However, the negative aura surrounding the show can be very influential for minds of all age groups. I remember watching an episode where two men raped the corpse of a woman after brutally murdering her. As a child surfing through channels to watch something relevant, accidentally stumbling on such disturbing content scarred me for weeks. It does not cause mental and emotional exhaustion but deepens suspicions and trust issues. Planning a trip with college friends, successful or not is a norm in this phase of life but a common complaint I have heard from my friends is about how their mother saw a certain crime episode on one of the two above mentioned shows and is hence hesitant over providing permission for the same. These shows are viewed mostly by housewives and the elders of the family which often restricts ones freedom out of fear of mishap.

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In the end, it completely depends on the decisions of the audience as to what they desire for themselves by viewing or boycotting the show to initiate any actions from the channel or censor board. It is also important to remember that such shows are a means of income to several people who find their daily wages through them and if they were to get unemployed, it would weigh heavily on our self-conscience. Indian Censorship in all its glory and vices is a very integral part whose functioning is valued for all the work it does to prevent conflict, plagiarism, unwanted exposure and provide protection from violation and promotion of negativity. Keeping the purpose of the body in mind I hope a more liberal approach can be adopted with the best needs of the people in mind because entertainment is an art best served disclosed.