Pahlaj nihalani censor in chief

Pahlaj nihalani censor in chief

Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen’s views on politics in general, and on the ruling dispensation at the Centre, which is also the ruling dispensation in 13 states, are no secret. These views are aired off and on, both by Prof Sen and by likeminded individuals, ranging across the dominant themes of Indian politics. Outrage on social media over the temerity of a mere intellectual to question the authenticity and wisdom of popular choice in India has accompanied such views, as well. Sen’s exit from his pet project, the Nalanda University, did not embarrass the government or prevent the BJP from sweeping the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand elections.
So, when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeks to eliminate words that it thinks would offend the powers that be, was its chief Pahlaj Nihalani carrying out the mandate of those who appointed him? Or was he merely strutting like the rooster who imagines his rousing call makes the sun rise in the morning? What has Nihalani achieved? He has once again given grist to the intolerance mill. Sen being the academic of global stature that he is, seeking to gag his opinion and, childishly, to eliminate references to the cow and to Gujarat from a documentary on Sen, has drawn global attention to the state of free speech and expression in the world’s largest democracy. Does Nihalani imagine he would be rewarded for his exemplary loyalty? Indians, in other words, remain at risk (sundry newspaper, online forum of TV channel could expose them to toxic words such as cow) and, at the same time, Nihalani’s exertions have brought to the government criticism on curtailment of freedom of expression and censorship. Nihalani should, perhaps, stick to his usual turf, of guarding tender Indian morals from anatomical liberties on celluloid.