Question : NOCs for Movies based on Defence related Themes

(a) the number of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that have been sought from the Ministry by filmmakers/producers for the production of movies with defence related themes;

(b) the number of NOCs granted, rejected and pending;

(c) whether the Ministry had recently refused to grant NOC for a movie based on the life of an officer (Retd.) of Indian Army, if so, the reasons thereof;

(d) whether the Ministry recognises that the approval process for the portrayal of defence related themes is an arbitrary discrimination that violates Article 14 of the Constitution and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Ministry recognises that the approval process for movies and documentaries is violative of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the rationale behind issuing NOC to filmmakers/producers for movies based on defence related themes?

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) & (b) From 1st January, 2021 to 31st January, 2022, status of proposals received by Indian Army for grant of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from filmmakers/producers for the production of movies on defence related themes is tabulated as under:

Status of NOC Feature Films Documentaries/TV Series Total
Granted 09 07 16
Rejected 01 0 01
Pending 01 0 01
Total 11 07 18

01 proposal for the NOC has been received by Indian Navy during the last ten years which is pending.

Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the following proposals for NOCs during the last three years:

2019 2020 2021
05 02 06

None of the proposals have been rejected by the IAF.

Apart from above, 02 more NOCs were sought from Ministry of Defence which were granted.

(c) Yes, Sir. The reason for refusal for granting NOC is the portrayal of a romantic relationship between an Army soldier serving in Kashmir and a local boy which casts Indian Army in poor light and raises security issues.

(d) No, Sir. The approval process is not arbitrary/discriminatory in nature nor does it violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Each case is considered based on its own merits keeping in view the factors like national security, the defence of India, situation of law and order in the country/various states, maintenance of discipline in the Armed Forces, ethos/customs of military service and general sentiments of the citizens and image of the Armed Forces in the minds of the citizens of India/general public.

(e) The approval process is not violative of freedom of speech and expressions, guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India. The freedom of speech and expression is also subject to reasonable restrictions that may be required for safeguarding the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States and public order, decency or morality, or incitement to an offence etc.

(f) The rationale behind issuing NOC to filmmakers/producers for movies based on defence related themes is to ensure that the Armed Forces are not depicted in a manner which brings disrepute to the Armed Forces/Government/Country, as also to ensure factual accuracy and that no classified matters are brought out in the open domain that could effect in security of the country.

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