Censor Board of India 'is flagging RSS ideology' in releasing Malayalam film 'Haal'

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*

The Malayalam film "Haal" has come under scrutiny by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), not for vulgarity or violence, but for allegedly failing to align with the ideological framework of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Critics argue that the CBFC’s increasing alignment with is eroding its independence and compromising the freedom of expression. Once considered an autonomous body, the CBFC now appears to be functioning under the influence of the Sangh Parivar.

"Haal" is a romantic musical starring and Sakshi Vaidya, written by Nishad K. Koya and directed by debutant Veera. The film centers on an interfaith marriage between a Hindu woman and a Muslim man, promoting the idea that such unions can thrive peacefully if both partners respect each other’s religious beliefs.

Set against the backdrop of a society fractured along communal lines, "Haal" explores the emotional and social challenges faced by interfaith couples. Its message resonates with the spirit of the Indian Constitution and the , advocating for communal harmony and the triumph of love over prejudice.

However, the CBFC has objected to several scenes, citing concerns over "religious sensitivities and socio-cultural dynamics." One such scene shows the couple enjoying —a dish common in South India, typically made with buffalo meat. In states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, beef biryani is consumed by Hindus, Christians, and Muslims alike. The CBFC’s demand to remove this scene reflects a lack of understanding of regional culinary traditions and an ideological bias against practices disapproved by the RSS.

Another contested scene features characters wearing the kalava (or mauli), a red-and-yellow sacred thread often associated with RSS members. The board has also objected to a character uttering "Dhwaja Pranamam," a salute to the saffron RSS flag. Additionally, the CBFC has asked the filmmakers to change the name of —a town in Kerala with historical ties to Tipu Sultan—to Ganapathyvattam, its pre-colonial name.

The board has further demanded the removal of a scene in which a character uses a to conceal her identity. These objections have led the CBFC to claim that the film carries a hidden agenda, and even after suggested cuts, it has offered only an "A" certificate.

Made on a budget of ₹16 crore, "Haal" now faces an uncertain future. Its release has already been postponed twice—first on September 19 and then on October 10. With certification still pending, the producers have approached the , seeking intervention from the Union government.

Initially submitted to the CBFC’s regional office in Thiruvananthapuram, the film was deemed fit for screening. However, it was later forwarded to the review committee in Mumbai, raising questions about procedural transparency.

The CBFC’s objections suggest a troubling shift toward ideological policing in film certification. By targeting narratives that promote interfaith harmony and constitutional values, the board risks undermining artistic freedom and democratic principles.

This trend is particularly concerning for younger audiences, who deserve exposure to stories of peaceful coexistence. The CBFC’s stance appears to negate the legal protections offered by the Special Marriage Act, threatening the legitimacy of interfaith unions.

Such ideological interference must be challenged. Those advancing Hindutva interests through censorship should be held accountable, and the media must play a role in exposing these influences to safeguard creative expression in India.

The CBFC, a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is reportedly facing increased pressure from groups aligned with the ruling , which has ideological roots in the RSS. Allegations of bias have surfaced in recent cases.

In April 2025, the film "" was delayed following objections from Brahmin groups, with reports indicating that the board demanded edits to dialogue. In July 2025, the Kerala High Court intervened after the CBFC denied certification to "JSK: Janaki V v/s State of Kerala," objecting to the protagonist’s name and prompting a legal battle over arbitrary reasoning.

These incidents point to a pattern of ideological and political influence over the CBFC’s decisions. The board is increasingly seen as a "moral tribunal" rather than an impartial certifying authority. Critics warn that its role is shifting from regulating morality to enforcing Hindutva ideology—a development that threatens the very foundation of artistic freedom in India.

---

*Journalist based in Chennai

Comments

NYT: RSS 'infiltrates' institutions, 'drives' religious divide under Modi's leadership

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive New York Times investigation published on December 26, 2025, chronicles the rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — characterized as a far-right Hindu nationalist organization — from a shadowy group founded in 1925 to the world's largest right-wing force, marking its centenary in 2025 with unprecedented influence and mainstream acceptance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who joined the RSS as a young boy and later became a full-time campaigner before being deputized to its political wing in the 1980s, delivered his strongest public tribute to the group in his August 2025 Independence Day address. Speaking from the Red Fort , he called the RSS a "giant river" with dozens of streams touching every aspect of Indian life, praising its "service, dedication, organization, and unmatched discipline." The report describes how the RSS has deeply infiltrated India's institutions — government, courts, police, media, and academia — ...

Dalit woman student’s death sparks allegations of institutional neglect in Himachal college

By A Representative A Dalit rights organisation has alleged severe caste- and gender-based institutional violence leading to the death of a 19-year-old Dalit woman student at Government Degree College, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and has demanded arrests, resignations, and an independent inquiry into the case.

Domestic vote-bank politics 'behind official solidarity' with Bangladeshi Hindus

By Sandeep Pandey, Faisal Khan The Indian government has registered a protest with Bangladesh over the mob lynching of two Hindus—Deepu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and Amrit Mandal in Rajbari. In its communication, the government cited a report by the Association of Hindus, Buddhists and Christian Unity Council, which claims that more than 2,900 incidents of killings, arson, and land encroachments targeting minorities have taken place since the interim government assumed power in Bangladesh.

From colonial mercantilism to Hindutva: New book on the making of power in Gujarat

By Rajiv Shah Professor Ghanshyam Shah ’s latest book, “ Caste-Class Hegemony and State Power: A Study of Gujarat Politics ”, published by Routledge , is penned by one of Gujarat ’s most respected chroniclers, drawing on decades of fieldwork in the state. It seeks to dissect how caste and class factors overlap to perpetuate the hegemony of upper strata in an ostensibly democratic polity. The book probes the dominance of two main political parties in Gujarat—the Indian National Congress and the BJP—arguing that both have sustained capitalist growth while reinforcing Brahmanic hierarchies.

Gig workers’ strike halts platforms, union submits demands to Labour Ministry

By A Representative India’s gig economy witnessed an partial disruption on December 31, 2025, as a large number of delivery workers, app-based service providers, and freelancers across the country participated in a nationwide strike called by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU). The strike, which followed days of coordinated protests, shut down major platforms including Zomato , Swiggy , Blinkit , Zepto , Flipkart , and BigBasket in several areas.

Epic war against caste system is constitutional responsibility of elected government

Edited by well-known Gujarat Dalit rights leader Martin Macwan, the book, “Bhed-Bharat: An Account of Injustice and Atrocities on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-18)” (available in English and Gujarati*) is a selection of news articles on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-2018) published by Dalit Shakti Prakashan, Ahmedabad. Preface to the book, in which Macwan seeks to answer key questions on why the book is needed today: *** The thought of compiling a book on atrocities on Dalits and thus present an overall Indian picture had occurred to me a long time ago. Absence of such a comprehensive picture is a major reason for a weak social and political consciousness among Dalits as well as non-Dalits. But gradually the idea took a different form. I found that lay readers don’t understand numbers and don’t like to read well-researched articles. The best way to reach out to them was storytelling. As I started writing in Gujarati and sharing the idea of the book with my friends, it occurred to me that while...

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

2025 was not just a bad year—it was a moral failure, it normalised crisis

By Atanu Roy* The clock has struck midnight. 2025 has passed, and 2026 has arrived. Firecrackers were already bursting in celebration. If this is merely a ritual, like Deepavali, there is little to comment on. Otherwise, I find 2025 to have been a dismal year, weighed down by relentless odds—perhaps the worst year I have personally witnessed.

Urgent need to study cause of large number of natural deaths in Gulf countries

By Venkatesh Nayak* According to data tabled in Parliament in April 2018, there are 87.76 lakh (8.77 million) Indians in six Gulf countries, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While replying to an Unstarred Question (#6091) raised in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs said, during the first half of this financial year alone (between April-September 2018), blue-collared Indian workers in these countries had remitted USD 33.47 Billion back home. Not much is known about the human cost of such earnings which swell up the country’s forex reserves quietly. My recent RTI intervention and research of proceedings in Parliament has revealed that between 2012 and mid-2018 more than 24,570 Indian Workers died in these Gulf countries. This works out to an average of more than 10 deaths per day. For every US$ 1 Billion they remitted to India during the same period there were at least 117 deaths of Indian Workers in Gulf ...

Search This Blog