Daily
250 words
6/10
Rating

12 July 2026

Government removal of film 'Satluj'

The topic involves the application of Section 69A of the IT Act and the regulatory framework for OTT platforms, which are significant governance and constitutional issues regarding freedom of speech and executive power.

2 min read Day 5 of 5 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • The film 'Satluj' (originally 'Punjab '95') was removed from the ZEE5 OTT platform in India shortly after its July 3, 2024 premiere.
  • The film depicts the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s.
  • The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had previously recommended 127 cuts to the film before its OTT release.
  • OTT platforms in India are regulated under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, rather than the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
  • Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, empowers the Centre to block online content on grounds including sovereignty, integrity, security of the State, and public order.
  • Procedural safeguards for blocking under Section 69A, as affirmed in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), include a reasoned written order and an opportunity for the publisher to be heard.
  • Rule 16 of the Blocking Rules allows for confidentiality, which critics argue prevents effective legal challenge and judicial review of proportionality.
  • Legal remedies for filmmakers include filing a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution to challenge the blocking order as ultra vires or violative of Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g).

Part of a longer story

This is day 5 of 5 in Removal of film 'Satluj' from OTT platforms, which has been running since 6 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Examine the legal framework governing the regulation of content on OTT platforms in India. How does it differ from the regulatory mechanism under the Cinematograph Act, 1952? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Discuss the constitutional validity and procedural safeguards associated with Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. How does the issue of confidentiality in blocking orders impact the judicial review of executive actions regarding freedom of speech and expression? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Under which legal provision is the Central Government empowered to block online content on grounds of sovereignty and integrity of India?

  2. Which Supreme Court judgment upheld the constitutional validity of Section 69A of the IT Act while emphasizing the necessity of procedural safeguards?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-12/government-removal-of-film-satluj