What happened: CBFC “cut list” access kept under “maintenance”
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) kept public access to film cut lists and other legally required information inaccessible for several days by placing the CBFC website section that shows the cut list under “maintenance”. This action limited viewers’ and stakeholders’ ability to verify the specific cuts ordered for films in theatres or scheduled to release.
Why cut lists matter for governance of expression
Film cut lists can act as a verifiable record of censorship decisions and their implementation. Cut-list visibility connects to wider governance concerns about regulation of expression, including public debate around anti-establishment themes and portrayals related to casteism and religious prejudice.
Background: CBFC cut lists via e-Cinepramaan and website tabulated lists
CBFC cut lists are described as accessible through the CBFC e-Cinepramaan portal by scanning a QR code on a certificate. The supplied information states that tabulated cut lists were removed from the CBFC website around or before July 15 and replaced with a maintenance message.
Related current affairs
- Hiding the scissors: The censor board has strayed from the law that underpins its existence
- Film and media promotion initiatives: DCDFC scheme, India Cine Hub and National Film Heritage Mission
- Government implements Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) for ex-gratia relief to media personnel
- Cartoon: ‘No to censorship / Should freedom of expression exist?’ (with stylized figure)
- Animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath gets SC nod for release after Rath Yatra
- Ashwani Kumar says film “Satluj” reopens Punjab militancy wounds; sudden ban may be counterproductive