Stalin urges Centre to withdraw proposed amendment to Cinematograph Act

The TN CM, in a letter to the Union Law Minister, said a vibrant democracy must provide adequate space for creative thinking and artistic freedom

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday wrote to the Union Minister of Law and Justice, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, urging the Union government withdraw the Draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Mr. Stalin, in his letter, said the draft Bill has given rise to serious apprehensions not only in the minds of the film fraternity and film industry but also amongst all well-meaning sections of society that cherish freedom of expression. “A vibrant democracy must provide adequate space for creative thinking and artistic freedom. However, the proposed amendment to the Cinematograph Act seeks to restrict it by restoring the revisionary powers of the Union Government that was struck down by the Supreme Court two decades ago,” Mr. Stalin said.