he banning of Satluj, just days after its release, has once again turned the spotlight on censorship in India.

Directed by Honey Trehan, the film is based on the life of the human rights activist Jaswant Singh Kalra, who disappeared while investigating the large number of disappearances and deaths that took place during the campaign to suppress the Sikh insurgency in the Punjab in the 1980s.

Since independence, India has often been presented as a model democracy founded on the principles of free speech and freedom of expression. Its film industry reflected that aspiration, producing works that explored a wide range of political, social and cultural themes.

Although governments have, at different times, acted against films and filmmakers, Indian cinema largely retained a secular and pluralistic outlook. In recent decades, however, that tradition has increasingly given way to films that are more inward-looking and nationalistic, often reinforcing rather than questioning official narratives.

Historically, the banning of books, articles and films has often heightened public curiosity, with prohibited works circulating through unofficial channels. In the digital age, that process has become even easier. Reports suggest that Satluj has reached audiences through online platforms despite its withdrawal. By contrast, films that align with the state’s narrative, particularly those focusing on Muslims and Kashmir, have continued to receive official approval.

New media has also made it more difficult for any single narrative to dominate public debate.

India’s print and digital media have also come under increasing scrutiny. Their coverage during the military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025 drew criticism for sensationalism and partisan reporting, although some dissenting voices continued to challenge the dominant narrative. The journalists and commentators who persist in pursuing uncomfortable truths deserve recognition for resisting majoritarian pressures and insisting that justice depends upon transparency as opposed to silence.

New media has also made it more difficult for any single narrative to dominate public debate. Alternative interpretations now circulate almost instantly, challenging official accounts and expanding the space for public discussion.

India once enjoyed a significant lead in nurturing freedom of expression and a pluralistic public sphere. Today, many critics argue that those foundations are under strain. At a time when democratic values face growing pressure around the world, the need to defend freedom of expression has become more urgent than ever.

The writer is a Lahore-based culture critic.