The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated film depicting the killing of a 5-year-old girl by Israeli forces during the 2024 Gaza conflict, has been denied certification by India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to the film’s distributor, Manoj Nandwana. The theatrical ban was first reported by Hollywood trade publication Variety on March 19, 2026. Nandwana told The Hindu he anticipated the rejection, citing the film’s lack of approval from multiple festivals that require clearance from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for movies without CBFC certification. He declined to pursue legal action against the decision, noting he had not received a written rejection from the CBFC. “Previously, we submitted a film called Land Jihad, and the Censor Board explicitly warned it could cause communal issues before rejecting it in writing,” he said. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the CBFC did not respond to The Hindu’s inquiries. A senior official revealed the film has been referred to a Revising Committee within the CBFC for review. Over the past two years, the board has censored films with progressive political messaging, often removing references to real-life political events or figures. While right-wing cinema has also faced heavy censorship, its core messages have generally survived the process, according to cutlists reviewed by The Hindu. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the ban as “disgraceful,” arguing that screening films reflects societal freedom of expression and is unrelated to diplomatic relations. He criticized the government for banning films that could harm foreign ties, calling it “unworthy of a mature democracy.#shashi_tharoor #central_board_of_film_certification #voice_of_hind_rajab #manoj_nandwana #bengaluru_international_film_festival
The article discusses Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress leader and former UN official, criticizing the Indian government's handling of several critical issues. Here's a structured summary of the key points: --- Key Issues Raised by Tharoor LPG Price Hike and Fuel Costs: Tharoor highlighted the 60-rupee increase in LPG prices and the impending rise in petrol prices, calling it a serious challenge for the Indian economy. He urged the government to adopt a more proactive and responsible approach to address these issues. Lack of Parliamentary Debate: Tharoor criticized the government for not allowing sufficient discussion in the parliament on matters like LPG pricing and international regulations. He emphasized that the parliament should be a platform for debate and dialogue to ensure all sections of society are heard. International Regulations: He raised concerns about international norms and the need for transparency in policy decisions affecting citizens. --- Tharoor’s Personal Note 70th Birthday: Tharoor mentioned celebrating his 70th birthday a day before, tying it to India’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup, which he called a "magnificent gift." Cricket Connection: He praised his son Sanju Samson for his performance in the tournament, highlighting the national pride it brought. --- Tharoor’s Background Political Career: A three-time Lok Sabha member representing Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor has been a Congress leader since 2009. Professional Experience: Served as a UN official for nearly three decades and is known for his multilingual skills and rhetorical prowess. Academic and Literary Contributions: A writer and speaker, he has authored several books and is recognized for his analytical insights on global and Indian issues.#icc_t20_world_cup #lpg_price_hike #shashi_tharoor #indian_government #parliamentary_debate
Kerala's Name Change to Keralam Sparks Linguistic Debate Amid Political Approval The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam on February 24, 2026. The decision follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly on June 24, 2024, which called for the name change. The government of Kerala had previously requested the central government to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3 to reflect the new name. Once the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal, the President of India will forward the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly for its input. After reviewing the assembly’s recommendations, the central government will proceed with introducing the bill in Parliament to formally rename Kerala as Keralam. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor humorously addressed the linguistic implications of the name change, questioning what would happen to terms like "Keralite" and "Keralan" for the residents of the newly named Keralam. He quipped that "Keralamite" sounds like a microbe and "Keralamian" resembles a rare earth mineral, suggesting the need for a competition to coin new terms. Tharoor’s remarks came as the Cabinet finalized the decision, highlighting the cultural and linguistic debate surrounding the change. Tharoor also expressed appreciation for the honor bestowed upon C. Rajagopalachari with a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan, noting his historical significance as India’s first Indian Governor-General. He praised Rajagopalachari’s principles, including support for free enterprise, social justice, and constitutional freedoms, which he said remain relevant today. Tharoor lamented the decline of figures like Rajagopalachari, emphasizing their enduring influence on Indian values.#kerala #shashi_tharoor #prime_minister_narendra_modhi #union_cabinet #c_rajagopalachari
