Hard knocks for soft power

The state is tightening its control over what we read, watch, hear or laugh at, says Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. Why not facilitate our soft power instead of clamping down on its strengths?

The state is tightening its control over what we read, watch, hear or laugh at. Take a look at some of the moves made by the Union government in the last few months.
 

In June this year came a proposal to amend the Cinematograph Act of 1952. Among the recommended changes is one that gives the Union government the power to review a film even after it has been given a certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This power had been struck down by the Supreme Court in 2000. By all accounts, the amended Bill will be