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<ul><li>Within days of the Indian government releasing new rules on how platforms like <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, <keyword id="2976376" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime-Video">Amazon Prime Video</keyword> and others should be governed, the Supreme Court has a new proposal.</li><li>The apex court believes that since going to the cinema is becoming obsolete as more hop online to catch movies, everything released on OTT platforms should be screened.</li><li>These comments came as the Supreme Court heard a plea filed by Amazon Prime Video’s commercial head, <keyword id="2168986" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aparna-Purohit">Aparna Purohit</keyword> challenging the Allahabad High Court’s judgement.</li></ul>The Supreme Court of India has observed that online content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms should be screened. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Amazon Prime Video’s commercial head, Aparna Purohit. She has challenged the Allahabad High Court’s judgement denying her pre-arrest bail in the criminal cases registered in connection to the controversial show called Tandav. <div type="twitter" handle="LiveLawIndia" handlename="Live Law" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/897707258334916608/nMQWwGlo_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3" retweetcount="1" status="Rohatgi: She is an employee employee Of Amazon. Producer and actor have been made an accused. Now, company is not a… https://t.co/8QJy8jT4Qn" createdat="1614843416000" id="1367378510218633217"></div> “We are of the view that some screening should take place. In fact, some platforms even show pornography,” said the bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, according to LiveLaw. This comes after the Indian government introduced new rules for the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ <keyword id="2739840" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hotstar">Hotstar</keyword>, last week. According to Bhushan, ‘traditional’ film viewing has now become obsolete and screening may be required for OTT platforms as more people head to the internet to catch the latest movie. <div type="twitter" handle="LiveLawIndia" handlename="Live Law" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/897707258334916608/nMQWwGlo_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6" retweetcount="2" status="Bench: One query - Traditional film viewing has now become obsolete. People watching cinema on internet has become… https://t.co/o1BsNNccOM" createdat="1614843292000" id="1367377990040973322"></div> India’s new IT Rules mandate that there needs to be a three-tier mechanism to address complaints and the classification of content. However, nowhere does it say that content will be screened before being allowed to appear online. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="81306652" title="India’s new rules for OTT platforms could lead an increase in content-related disputes" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Aparna Purohit and the Tandav-controversy Purohit has been booked under three sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act 2008 and five sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the prosecution, the Uttar Pradesh police, Tandav includes inappropriate depictions of the police force as well as Hindu gods and goddesses. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Law </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Accusations action Purohit </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IT Act,2008 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 66 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Computer-related offences </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IT Act,2008 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 66F </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Punishment for cyber terrorism </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IT Act,2008 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 67 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Transmitting obscene material </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 153-A </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Promoting enmity between different groups </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 295 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 505(1)(b) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Public mischief </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 505(2) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Statements promoting hatred between classes </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Section 469 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Forgery for purpose of harming reputation </td></tr></tbody></table> The Allahabad High Court denied Purohit anticipatory bail on the grounds that the scenes within Tandav, have been made ‘intentionally’ using the names of Hindu gods to convey an insidious message. "The sentiments of the majority community have been hurt by the display of the characters of their faith in disrespectful manner and on the other hand… The applicant had not been vigilant and has acted irresponsibly making her open to criminal prosecution in permitting streaming of a movie which is against the fundamental rights of the majority of citizens of this country," said the court’s <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/aparna-purohit-matter-allahabad-hc-389754.pdf">verdict</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/this-spam-blocker-may-add-a-layer-of-anonymity-to-your-social-media-presence-while-twitter-and-facebook-are-under-pressure-to-verify-their-users/articleshow/81327239.cms">This spam blocker may add a layer of anonymity to your social media presence while Twitter and Facebook are under pressure to verify their users</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/mozilla-is-not-happy-with-indias-new-it-rules-claiming-there-arent-enough-checks-and-balances-in-place/articleshow/81308608.cms">Mozilla is not happy with India's new IT rules claiming there aren't enough checks and balances in place</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-signal-and-telegram-face-a-catch-22-situation-as-indias-new-social-media-rules-threaten-encryption/articleshow/81221070.cms">Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram face a catch-22 situation as India’s new social media rules threaten encryption</a>

India's Supreme Court observes that OTT platforms are showing pornography and proposes screening of online content

<ul><li>he <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> of India has ordered a stay against all pending cases concerning <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, <keyword id="758541" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime">Amazon Prime</keyword> and others in High Courts across India.</li><li>This order comes in response to a plea filed by the Justice for Rights Foundation, which is seeking effective regulation to curb content on these over-the-top (OTT) platforms.</li><li>According to plea, neither the self regulation code or the Indian government’s new IT Rules are effective tools to curb content that hurts the religious, social and regional sentiments of the public at large. </li></ul>India’s apex court has ordered a stay against all cases concerning over-the-top (OTT) platforms — like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar and others — in multiple High Court across India. The development comes in response to a plea filed by the non-government organisation (NGO) Justice for Rights Foundation seeking regulation on the functioning of these video streaming apps by the government, according to <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/ott-platforms-supreme-court-netflix-amazon-prime-regulated-by-statutory-body-171562">LiveLaw</a>. According to the petitioner, web series like <keyword id="1272587" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sacred-Games">Sacred Games</keyword>, <keyword id="1299578" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tandav">Tandav</keyword>, <keyword id="50317" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mirzapur">Mirzapur</keyword> 2, Ak vs Ak and A Suitable Boy have allegedly hurt religious, social and regional sentiments of the public at large. The NGO isn’t just going after Indian web series, but also international shows like Game of Thrones and Spartacus, accusing them of containing vulgar and pronographic content. The organisation asserts these shows have damaged ‘social harmony’. The rules in place are not enough The NGO pointed out that the ‘self regulation’ code adopted by OTT platforms has not been effective in deterring the production of content that may be offensive to society. It added that the new IT Rules put forth by the Indian government to regulate OTT platforms suffer from many flaws and loopholes. The guidelines do not provide for any effective mechanism or proper implementation of these rules since there are no penalties or punishments in place in the case of violations, according to the plea. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="81306652" title="India’s new rules for OTT platforms could lead an increase in content-related disputes" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The case will now be heard after Holi on March 29. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/indias-supreme-court-waives-compound-interest-on-all-loans-put-under-moratorium-due-to-covid-19-pandemic/articleshow/81645705.cms">India's Supreme Court waives compound interest on ALL loans put under moratorium due to COVID-19 pandemic</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/your-take-home-salaries-could-shrink-sharply-in-april-with-indias-new-definition-of-wages/articleshow/81631662.cms">Your take-home salaries could shrink sharply from April with India’s new definition of wages — but companies are hoping for a delay</a>

Supreme Court orders to pause all cases against Netflix, Amazon Prime and others in High Courts across India

<ul><li>Following the controversy around the Saif Ali Khan-starrer <keyword id="1299578" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tandav">Tandav</keyword> when several FIRs were filed against it, Unio Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> has announced that the <keyword id="82970" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Information-and-Broadcasting">Ministry of Information and Broadcasting</keyword> will soon come out with a set of guidelines to regulate it.</li><li>The move is a response to the multiple complaints received against several web series on various platforms.</li></ul>In view of the rising number of complaints received against content on various <keyword id="2354450" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Over-the-top">Over-the-Top</keyword> (<keyword id="1245953" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="OTT">OTT</keyword>) platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will soon come out with a set of guidelines to regulate it, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Over the past few weeks, Saif Ali Khan-starrer Tandav on Amazon Prime received a lot of criticism with multiple FIRs being filed against it in several states. The ministry had received several complaints against Tandav for its depiction of Hindu Gods in the show and for hurting religious sentiments of people. The announcement by the Union Minister closely follows the controversy. Films and serials released on OTT platforms and digital newspapers do not come under the purview of the Press Council Act, Cable Television Networks (<keyword id="163506" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="regulation">Regulation</keyword>) Act or Censor Board and therefore there will be some guidelines soon to regulate the content, Javadekar said during a press conference. In November last year, the government brought OTT platforms under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s ambit. Previously, these platforms used to come under the <keyword id="3428254" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics-and-information-technology">Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</keyword>.

Following the Tandav controversy, government to start regulating OTT content

Lucknow, An FIR has been lodged here against the makers of web series 'Tandav' and <keyword id="18635" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>'s India head of original content for allegedly depicting Hindu gods in a manner hurtful to <keyword id="522164" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-sentiments">religious sentiments</keyword> of the people. The FIR against Aparna Purohit, the head of Amazon's India head of original content, director of the series Ali Abbas, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra, writer Gaurav Solanki, and an unknown person was lodged late on Sunday night by senior Sub Inspector Amar Nath Yadav at the Hazratganj Kotwali police station here. The film starring <keyword id="333" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saif-Ali-Khan">Saif Ali Khan</keyword>, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia, <keyword id="5894" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dino-Morea">Dino Morea</keyword>, Kumud Mishra, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, <keyword id="327" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gauhar-Khan">Gauhar Khan</keyword> and <keyword id="140105" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kritika-Kamra">Kritika Kamra</keyword>, premiered on the streaming platform on Friday. Taking to Twitter, BSP President Mayawati called for removing the objectionable content from the web series. Protests are being registered against some scenes hurting the religious and ethnic sentiments in the Tandav web series, in respect of which it would be appropriate to remove whatever is objectionable so that the atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual brotherhood in the country is not spoiled anywhere, she said. According to the FIR, following public outrage expressed on social media platforms, the web series was viewed and it was found in the 17th minute of the first episode of the series that Hindu gods and goddesses have been allegedly presented in an "undignified manner' and shown using language which is hurtful to religious sentiments. Dialogues in the web series can incite caste anger, the FIR stated. It also alleged that the person occupying the high post of Prime Minister of India has been portrayed in a very belittling manner besides there are scenes in which castes have been presented as low and high and women in an insulting manner. The FIR further alleged that intent of the web series is to incite religious sentiments of a particular community and create enmity among classes.This act of the producer-director has hurt and incited religious and caste sentiments of the people, the FIR added. The FIR has been lodged under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (1) (B) (statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility) and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) along with sections of the IT Act. Taking cognizance of complaints that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in the web series, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had on Sunday sought an explanation from <keyword id="10265015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="streaming-platform-amazon-prime-video">streaming platform Amazon Prime Video</keyword> on the issue, sources had said. The development came after BJP MP Manoj Kotak on Sunday said he has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> seeking a ban on Amazon Prime Video's series 'Tandav' for ridiculing Hindu deities. "The ministry has taken cognizance of the matter (complaints) and asked Amazon Prime Video to explain," a source in the ministry had said. Kotak, the MP from Mumbai North-East, said different organisations and individuals have complained that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in the 'Tandav' web series. When contacted about the complaints, Amazon Prime Video PR had said the platform "won't be responding" on the matter. The government recently brought OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, besides other online news and current affairs content, under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, giving it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-have-to-say-about-the-4634-crore-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80323479.cms?upcache=2">The ₹4,600 crore IPO from IRFC is ‘attractive,’ and the best thing about the borrowing arm for Indian Railways is the assured margin</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-apply-for-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80327303.cms">How to apply for IRFC IPO? Check the details and online application process here</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cure-fit-strengthens-its-us-offering-by-acquiring-digital-trainer-and-workout-app-onyx/articleshow/80326857.cms">Cure.fit strengthens its US offering by acquiring digital trainer and workout app Onyx</a>

Tandav controversy - FIR filed against the show's director and Amazon India head of content in UP

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Netflix took down an Indian film after receiving backlash from right-wing Hindu groups.</li><li>The film depicted a Brahmin woman cooking and eating meat and suggested a Hindu deity ate meat.</li></ul>Netflix pulled an Indian film from its platform just days after it began streaming after backlash from right-wing Hindu groups, reports say."Annapoorani: the Goddess of Food," a film made in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, follows a young woman from the Brahmin caste as she aspires to become one of India's best chefs. It was released in theaters in December and on Netflix later the same month.As part of her journey, the young woman cooks and eats meat, defying the wishes of her family and the traditions of the Brahmin caste, which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-friction-over-indias-beef-trade-heats-up-after-attacks-2015-2">historically practices vegetarianism</a>.The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a hardline right-wing Hindu group with ties to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-indias-modi-seeks-humble-tolerant-new-image-after-poll-rout-2015-2">Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party</a>, accused the film of being "intentionally released to hurt Hindu sentiments" and promoting "love jihad," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/01/11/netflix-removes-nayanthara-annapoorani-right-wing-groups-allege-movie-promote-love-jihad.html">according to</a> a complaint it filed to Mumbai's police. The phrase <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-love-jihad-law-results-multiple-arrests-of-muslim-men-2020-12">"love jihad"</a> refers to an Islamaphobic conspiracy theory purporting that Muslim men are seducing Hindu women to convert them to Islam.VHP also condemned the film for implying that the major Hindu deity Lord Rama ate meat while in exile. The group protested outside Netflix offices on Wednesday.Netflix removed the film from international streaming following the controversy, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nayantharas-annapoorani-removed-from-netflix-after-film-hurts-religious-sentiments-2487296-2024-01-11">India Today reported</a>. The studio behind the film, Zee Studios, issued a statement apologizing "for the inconvenience caused and hurt caused to the sentiments of the respective communities," The Guardian <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/jan/12/netflix-pulls-indian-film-annapoorani-the-goddess-of-food-after-backlash-from-rightwing-hindu-groups">reported</a>.<h2>'Fanaticism won, creativity lost'</h2>It's not the first time Netflix and other streaming platforms have faced pressure from religious Hindu groups.In 2020, Netflix faced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/media/a-suitable-boy-netflix-india-intl-hnk/index.html">boycotts</a> in India after an adaptation of the book "A Suitable Boy" contained a kissing scene between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman, drawing accusations of promoting "love jihad" from some Hindu viewers. And, in 2021, the cast and crew of an Amazon Prime political drama, "Tandav," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/3/2/amazon-apologises-to-indian-viewers-over-tandav-controversy">apologized</a> after hardline Hindu groups accused it of mocking Hindu gods.Netflix has also pulled other titles from its platform after receiving backlash. The streaming giant <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-hasan-miinhajs-patriot-act-episode-saudi-arabia-khashoggi-2019-1">took down an episode of Hasan Minhaj's "Patriot Act" in Saudi Arabia</a> after it received a legal complaint from the kingdom in 2019. In 2020, a judge in Brazil <a target="_blank" href="https://news.sky.com/story/netflix-ordered-to-pull-film-depicting-jesus-as-a-gay-man-11904267">ordered</a> Netflix to take down a short film depicting Jesus as a gay man.Some in the film industry have criticized Netflix's decision to pull "Annapoorani" from its platform."Fanaticism won, creativity lost. Shame on @NetflixIndia for giving in to majoritarian bullying," actor Siddharth <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DearthOfSid/status/1745364350276374937">wrote</a> on X."A dangerous precedent being set. Censoring left, right, and 'center' until we won't be allowed to breathe," actor Pavarthy Thiruvothu posted on an Instagram story.Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Netflix removed an Indian film after religious viewers criticized meat-eating characters

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> has issued an order, which notes that India’s new IT rules for governing the likes of <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, <keyword id="2976376" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime-Video">Amazon Prime Video</keyword> and other over-the-top (OTT) platforms are all teeth and no bite.</li><li>It wants the government to put in actionable repercussions for those who violate the regulations.</li><li>It was part of the order granting Amazon Prime Video’s commercial head, Aparna Purohit, interim protection from being arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Tandav controversy.</li></ul>While passing the order in the Tandav case, the Indian Supreme Court bench headed by Ashok Bhushan expressed its dissatisfaction with India’s new rules to govern over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, Alt Balaji and others. While granting Amazon Prime Video’s head, Aparna Purohit, interim protection from being arrested by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police, it also took a swing at the government. “Rules are in the nature of the guidelines with no effective regulation for either screening or taking appropriate action against those who violate these guidelines,” said Bhushan, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/barandbench/status/1367744948863266823">Bar &amp; Bench. </a> This comes after Bhushan observed that screening of OTT content was necessary, since it was pornographic in nature, during yesterday’s hearing. “The Solicitor General has submitted that steps will be taken for the same and it shall be placed before the court,” the bench observed in its order. What are India’s new rules for OTT platforms? Until the new rules came into the pictures, platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Alt Balaji, and others were largely unregulated. This allowed them to cater to a variety of audience. It also meant that the same platforms countered controversy every now and again — like in the case of the Amazon web series Tandav. According to the state of Uttar Pradesh, the show has inappropriately depicted the police force. The FIR lodged against the director, producer and Amazon employee Purohit, also accuses the show of depicting Hindu gods in a manner that is hurtful to the religious sentiments of the majority. The new rules, however, want to reduce the number of disputes by ensuring that OTT platforms have to certify their film and web series. And, they have to set up a three-tier system of addressing complaints. However, lawyers believe that instead of reducing the number of controversies, these rules may actually lead to an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-new-rules-for-ott-platforms-could-lead-an-increase-in-content-related-disputes/articleshow/81306652.cms">increase in the number of content-related disputes. </a>“While a certain type of content is perceived as offensive by a certain section of public, it is popular amongst another. It is unclear as to how OTT platforms are expected to practically redress grievances from different users,” wrote law firm Khaitan and Co’s partner, Tanu Banerjee. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-signal-and-telegram-face-a-catch-22-situation-as-indias-new-social-media-rules-threaten-encryption/articleshow/81221070.cms">Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram face a catch-22 situation as India’s new social media rules threaten encryption</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-and-twitter-have-a-ton-of-new-rules-to-abide-by-in-india-whatsapp-may-find-itself-in-the-toughest-spot-of-all/articleshow/81208643.cms">Facebook and Twitter have a ton of new rules to abide by in India ⁠— WhatsApp may find itself in the toughest spot of all</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-government-assumes-the-right-to-block-digital-news-content-along-with-a-new-set-of-regulations/articleshow/81209053.cms">Indian government assumes the right to block digital news content along with a new set of regulations</a>

Supreme Court challenges India's new rules for governing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other OTTs — no 'appropriate action' listed against those who violate regulations

<ul><li><keyword id="10862183" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-crime-season-2">Delhi Crime season 2</keyword> is the most awaited web series of 2021, <keyword id="15508" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="YouGov">YouGov</keyword> survey.</li><li>Among the shows released this year, Family Man Season 2 is the most popular with two in five calling it their favourite series.</li></ul>The Coronavirus pandemic gave a huge boost to the booming OTT video- streaming industry in India. As consumers endured lockdowns and restrictions, digital content became a major source of entertainment as well as a platform for the industry to connect with their audiences in these unprecedented times. YouGov’s latest study reveals that among the upcoming web series this year, Season 2 of Delhi Crime is the most awaited show by OTT platform viewers in the country (as said by 22%). The International Emmy winning drama series enthralled viewers with its first season and we see excitement building up for the next edition, despite the absence of an official release date. <div type="image" title="image002" msid="84997672" hostid="261"></div>It seems audiences are looking forward to the sequels of some of the popular shows of the past years. Along with Season 2 of Delhi Crime, viewers are also excited for the sequel of Voot’s mythological thriller Asur (20%), Kay Kay Menon’s Special Ops Season 2 (19%) , Kota Factory’s Season 2 (18%), Four More Shots Please Season 3 (14%) and Little Things Season 4 (13%). New shows like Rudra- the edge of darkness (11%) and Finding Anamika (9%) have also managed to spark interest and feature among the most awaited shows of 2021. YouGov also asked people about the web series they enjoyed watching in 2021. Among the shows already released this year, action-thriller Family Man Season 2 (40%) emerged as the most favourite show of OTT viewers in urban India. The ever-charming Manoj Bajpayee’s performance, and the engaging plot totally lived up to the expectations of fans, especially after the cliff-hanger ending of season 1. <div type="image" title="image004" msid="84997697" hostid="261"></div>Other series that received the appreciation and love of the audiences are Tandav (14%), Aspirants (12%) and Maharani (10%). With lack of entertainment choices, it is not surprising to see consumers shift to digital entertainment during the pandemic. Data suggests that a majority of respondents (59%) claim to have watched more content online than on TV in the past one year. One in ten have started exploring global (non-English) content in the past year (9%) and almost as many (11%) have begun watching regional content (non-Hindi) during this time. Roughly a fifth among those who claim to watch regional content like watching Telugu (22%) and Marathi (20%) language series. Gujarati (18%), Punjabi (17%), Tamil and Kannada (16% each) series are also popular among people. Language has become an important factor in determining people’s choice of content. One in eight respondents (12%) consider the language or origin of a series important when deciding what to watch on OTT platforms. Having said that, the genre of the show (22%), recommendations of family &amp; friends (21%) and reviews and ratings (19%) are ranked higher than language as consideration factors by people. <div type="image" title="image006" msid="84997721" hostid="261"></div> When it comes to digital platforms, Amazon Prime (53%), Netflix (47%) and Disney Hotstar (43%) are the most preferred channels for watching Indian web shows. Even though international networks are more popular among the masses, regional platforms like Sun NXT, Aha and Hoichoi also feature in the list, indicating the growth of regional content consumption in India. <div type="image" title="image008" msid="84997744" hostid="261"></div> With an interest in regional language streaming, non-Bollywood cinema is likely to come out of Covid in a better shape. Almost half of the total surveyed respondents (49%) said that they are open to watching regional movies in theatres, with younger adults between the age of 18-39 years more likely to say so than older ones of 40 years and above. Data collected online by YouGov Omnibus among 1009 respondents in the country between June 15th-20th, 2021 using YouGov’s panel of over 11 million people worldwide. Data is representative of the adult online population in the country.

Here are the top most awaited Indian web series of 2021 as per YouGov's survey

<ul><li>The Indian government today released new rules that are a part of the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.</li><li><keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, <keyword id="758541" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime">Amazon Prime</keyword>, Disney+ Hotstar will now have to classify their content based on who it is appropriate for, aside from setting up mechanisms for self regulation.</li><li>OTT platforms will now also have a three-tier redressal mechanism and they have three months to put this in place.</li></ul>From Mirzapur to Tandav, and even A Suitable Boy, there’s an endless list of films and shows released on over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar among others, that have been subject to everything from moral policing and social media bashing to police cases. And now, there are new norms that include classifying their content based on who it is appropriate for, aside from setting up mechanisms for self regulation. These are part of the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The classification levels will be – Universal (suitable for all) – U/A - General Viewing: but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children – U/A - 7+ : suitable for 7 years and above – U/A - 13+ : Suitable for 13 years and over – U/A - 16+ : Suitable for 16 years and over – Adult category – Suitable only for 18 years and above The new rules said that ‘the most challenging themes (for example, drug misuse, violence, paedophilia, sex, racial or communal hatred or violence etc.) are unlikely to be appropriate at the junior levels of classification’. The government also made way for regulation in the sector. “There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category,” said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar during the press conference on February 25. OTT platforms will now also have a three-tier redressal mechanism and they have three months to put this in place. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Officer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Responsibility </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chief compliance officer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Responsible for compliance of acts and the rules of the Government of India </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nodal contact person </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Will coordinate with law enforcement 24x7 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Resident grievance officer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Person the redressal grievance mechanism as indicated for intermediaries </td></tr></tbody></table> The platforms will also have to address complaints within 24 hours. Is this censorship of OTT? The films released on OTT platforms will now have to be cautious of the language being used in the scenes of the film/show, portrayal of smoking, liquor, psychotropic substances, as well as scenes that show nudity or sex. The regulations also include a warning for OTT platforms that show ‘imitable behaviour’ including anti-social behaviour like bullying, violence or eve-teasing. “Films/serials with song and dance scenes comprising lyrics and gestures that have sexual innuendos would receive a higher classification, particularly where such scenes have no bearing on the context and theme of the film,” said the rules. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-government-assumes-the-right-to-block-digital-news-content-along-with-a-new-set-of-regulations/articleshow/81209053.cms">Indian government assumes the right to block digital news content along with a new set of regulations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-and-twitter-have-a-ton-of-new-rules-to-abide-by-in-india-whatsapp-may-find-itself-in-the-toughest-spot-of-all/articleshow/81208643.cms">Facebook and Twitter have a ton of new rules to abide by in India ⁠— WhatsApp may find itself in the toughest spot of all</a>

Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar will now have to classify their content according to age in India

Mumbai, May 6 () Actor Amyra Dastur believes cinema is going to be transformed in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic with the digital space opening up in a big way. Amyra said the lockdown, which has led to the closing of cinemas and a postponement of shoots, also resulted in some of her projects getting pushed."I'm excited to see how cinema is going to transform and how the OTT platform is going to blow up bigger than ever. Luckily I'm not a newcomer so getting work isn't a concern. It is about quality and I believe only quality and not a last name will prevail. "Theatres will need a good six-eight months to have full houses again and in that time viewership on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Alt Balaji, Voot among others will grow... Finally, content is going to overshadow the box office, so it's an exciting time at the moment," the actor told .Before the lockdown was announced in March, the actor had T-Series' murder mystery "Koi Jaane Na" co-starring Kunal Kapoor up for release in June, but that stands pushed."We wrapped up shoot in the second week of February but that's been postponed due to the lockdown and our inability to get out and promote, as well as the fact that the industry doesn't know when the theatres are going to be able to open up to the public," Amyra said.She was also shooting for Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's production, "Dongri To Dubai", a web series adapted from author Hussain Zaidi's book of the same name and Tamil film "Bagheera" with Prabhudeva, all of which came to a halt.Her other project, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar's Amazon Prime Original "Tandav" is currently on the editing stage.The actor said she was supposed to fly to Chennai for a shoot on March 23, but it got postponed as the makers wanted to see what Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement would be a day later."I'm glad it was postponed because I would have been in lockdown alone in Chennai. But it's ok because these are the two projects I'll go back to shooting for as soon as the lockdown is lifted."The actor, who has featured in films like "Judgemental Hai Kya" and "Rajma Chawal", said once the lockdown is lifted, all her projects will resume on a priority basis."It'll be hectic because everyone wants the same dates but we've managed to prioritise each project according to the new deadlines. I was all set to shoot for a new film and was going to announce it in April so that's been postponed as well but not halted," she added. JUR RB BKBK

Cinema will transform, OTT platforms to blow up bigger than ever: Amyra Dastur on post COVID-19

<ul><li>India slipped two places to come in at the 53rd position on the Democracy Index 2020 as compared to last year.</li><li>The dip in its score has largely been attributed to mishandling of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).</li><li>“The increasing influence of religion under the Modi premiership, whose policies have fomented anti-Muslim feeling and religious strife, has damaged the political fabric of the country,” said the report by The Economist Intelligence Unit.</li></ul>India is the world’s largest democracy but its 1.38 billion citizens do not seem to be enjoying many freedoms. According to the latest report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the South Asian giant fell another two spots to 53rd position in the Democracy Index 2020. The primary reason for the massive fall was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/nrc-npr-and-caa-are-not-the-same-know-the-differences/articleshow/72963691.cms">the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act </a>(CAA) that came into being in January 2020. India versus rest of South Asia While being categorized as a ‘flawed democracy’, at first glance, India fares better than its neighboring countries. However, while India has been falling in the ranks, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan have improved marginally in 2020. Even those countries which saw a fall in scores, none were as massive as India’s drop. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Country </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Change in Democracy Index score from 2019 to 2020 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.29 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bhutan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+0.41 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bangladesh </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+0.11 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pakistan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+0.06 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">China </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+0.01 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Afghanistan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">No change </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nepal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.06 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sri Lanka </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.13 </td></tr></tbody></table> India’s ranking has been falling and it may get worse <div type="image" title="India democracy ranking" msid="80671295" hostid="261"></div> The Economist Intelligence Unit calls it ‘democratic backsliding’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The instances of high handedness by the state have only increased. For instance, stand-up comedian Munawar Farooqui was <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/comedian-munawar-faruqui-in-jail-for-22-days-for-joke-on-hindu-gods-a-timeline-of-events-3320342.html">arrested</a> for a joke that he didn’t even crack. Not to mention the heavy language used by the judiciary while denying him bail. The judiciary’s sensitivity was seen yet again when lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan was brought under the scanner for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/prashant-bhushan-files-fresh-plea-in-supreme-court-seeking-review-contempt-case-punishment/articleshow/78422984.cms">tweets criticizing the government. </a> Access to the internet was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/internet-access-in-jammu-and-kashmir-isnt-about-the-right-to-freedom-its-about-the-right-to-life-according-to-lawyers/articleshow/75708351.cms">blocked in Kashmir</a> for 213 days — two-thirds of a full year — after Article 370 of the Constitution was scrapped by the Modi government. Even today, internet shutdowns are being used to stifle the farmers' protest against India’s new farm laws along the borders of New Delhi. Creators of shows like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/tandav-controversy-fir-filed-against-the-shows-director-and-amazon-india-head-of-content-in-up/articleshow/80329036.cms">Tandav</a>, Sacred Games, and others have been dragged to court after being accused of hurting religious sentiments. Most recently, the Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uttarakhand-anti-national-posts-to-hit-passport-clearance-101612289325781.html">stated</a> that the state police will track people posting ‘anti-national’ and ‘anti-social’ posts on social media to be taken into consideration when verifying passport and arms. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Type of democracy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Number of countries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Percentage of countries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Percentage of world population </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Full democracies (E.g. Canada) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">13.8% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Flawed democracies (E.g. The US) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">52 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">31.1% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">41% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hybrid regimes (E.g. Myanmar) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">35 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">21% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">15% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Authoritarian regimes (E.g. China) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">57 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34.1% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">35.6% </td></tr></tbody></table> The issue with the new citizenship law The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) allows persecuted minorities who are, by religion, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian from ⁠— from neighbouring countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan — eligible for Indian citizenship. The fundamental argument against this bill is that religion was never a criteria and should never be. When critics questioned why persecuted Muslims were left out of the Act, the government said that in the three countries specified, Muslims are the majority and not persecuted. However, many debaters have pointed out that Muslims are a minority in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and the amendment excludes them. What’s worse, the government had planned to execute the National Registrar of Citizens, which would identify the undocumented and illegal migrants. However, if any non-Muslim gets caught without papers, he could be reinstated under the CAA. But a Muslim does not have the safety net that other communities have. The fear of many Muslims, who have been living in India for decades or generations, losing their state led to the widespread protests going into 2020. It took a riot in Delhi and the pandemic thereafter to bring the protests to an end. India scores well for its electoral process but takes a hit in political culture <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Metric </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India’s score </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Electoral process and pluralism </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8.67 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Functioning of government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.14 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Political participation </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.67 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Political culture </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Civil liberties </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.59 </td></tr></tbody></table> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/no-covid-cess-but-agri-infra-cess-will-hike-prices-of-fuel-imported-alcohol/slidelist/80629471.cms">No COVID-cess but agri infra cess will hike prices of fuel, imported alcohol</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/indias-health-budget-sees-a-137-jump-in-2021/slidelist/80626468.cms">India’s health budget sees a 137% jump in 2021</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/india-budget-2021-updates-and-highlights-from-nirmala-sitharaman-speech/articleshow/80624564.cms">Union Budget 2021 highlights: Pensioners over 75 years need not file IT returns, says FM</a>

You Searched For "Tandav" and got 10 results

India's Supreme Court observes that OTT platforms are showing pornography and proposes screening of online content

Prabhjote Gill

Supreme Court orders to pause all cases against Netflix, Amazon Prime and others in High Courts across India

Prabhjote Gill

Following the Tandav controversy, government to start regulating OTT content

BI India Partner

Tandav controversy - FIR filed against the show's director and Amazon India head of content in UP

PTI

Netflix removed an Indian film after religious viewers criticized meat-eating characters

Yoonji Han

Supreme Court challenges India's new rules for governing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other OTTs — no 'appropriate action' listed against those who violate regulations

Prabhjote Gill

Here are the top most awaited Indian web series of 2021 as per YouGov's survey

BI India Partner

Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar will now have to classify their content according to age in India

Sanchita Dash

Cinema will transform, OTT platforms to blow up bigger than ever: Amyra Dastur on post COVID-19

PTI

New citizenship law pulls India down in the democracy rankings — and 2021 is not looking better

Prabhjote Gill

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