A group of opposition MPs on Friday wrote to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnao, raising concerns over the alleged denial of the theatrical release certificate for ‘Voice of Hind Rajab’.
In a joint letter, the MPs said reports that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had “verbally denied” the film’s certification – without issuing a formal written order – undermined transparency and due process.
They stressed that the certification mechanism under the Cinematograph Act of 1952 provides for an orderly and reasonable decision-making process, and warned against any deviation from the legal rules.
The film, directed by Kawthar Ben Hania, revolves around the killing of a Palestinian child during the Gaza conflict in 2024, and received global acclaim, including an Oscar nomination. The MPs stressed that cinema plays a crucial role in dealing with complex humanitarian and political issues, and warned against restrictions imposed through “unofficial or illegal mechanisms.”
Emphasizing India’s constitutional commitment to freedom of expression, the parliamentarians argued that works of art should be evaluated strictly within the legal framework, and not on the basis of external considerations such as geopolitical sensitivities. They said such an approach could set a “dangerous precedent” inconsistent with democratic principles.
The signatories, namely Jairam Ramesh (Congress), John Brittas (CPI(M), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), Rajathi (DMK), Sarfaraz Ahmed (JMM), Haris Biran (IUML) and Javed Ali Khan (SP), urged the government to direct the CBFC to process the film’s certification as per constitutional principles and grant clearance at the earliest.
The MPs also stressed that India’s “civilising spirit” has historically embraced diverse artistic viewpoints and interpretations, adding that engaging with difficult topics strengthens democratic discourse.
They expressed their hope that the Ministry would take corrective steps to maintain the integrity of the certification process and reaffirm the country’s commitment to artistic freedom.
