The Hindu Editorial • February 10, 2026 • Read Original

Sentiments cannot be allowed to trigger a criminal process against art

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 10, 2026

Stifling ideas: On Ghooskhor Pandat and FIR

Sentiments cannot be allowed to trigger a criminal process against art

Freedom of SpeechArtistic FreedomArticle 19CensorshipYogi AdityanathIndian Constitution

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 17

English Original

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s direction to file a first information report (FIR) against the makers of a film over its title, Ghooskhor Pandat, is a sign of how sections of the ruling establishment have come to treat speech that they dislike.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s to file a against the makers of a film over its title,

The order given by the leader of Uttar Pradesh to start a police case against the film creators because of the name ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’

Part 2

Represents a fact or current state

Part 3

a sign of how sections of the have come to treat speech that they dislike

An indication of the way some parts of the government now deal with opinions or art they don’t agree with

Context and Background

First Information Report (FIR)

An FIR is a legal document in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh prepared by police when they receive information about a cognizable offense. In this context, it marks the beginning of the state’s criminal machinery being used against the filmmakers.

Sentence 2 of 17

English Original

Mr. Adityanath alleged that the title attempts to disrupt social harmony and hurts religious or caste sentiments.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Mr. Adityanath

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

Part 2

Claimed or said without giving proof yet

Part 3

that the title attempts to and hurts religious or caste

That the name of the film tries to upset the peace between people and offends their religious or caste feelings

Sentence 3 of 17

English Original

The producer agreed to remove promotional materials for the film.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The producer

The person in charge of making and financing the film

Part 2

agreed

Accepted or said yes to the demand

Part 3

to remove for the film

To take down posters, trailers, and other advertisements used to sell the movie

Sentence 4 of 17

English Original

A dispute over expression quickly became a policing matter and the threat of criminal process swiftly compelled capitulation, even before any court had examined the facts.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A over

A disagreement about what someone is allowed to say or show

Part 2

a policing matter

Something that is now being handled by the police as a crime

Part 3

the threat of

The fear of being arrested, going to court, or being punished by law

Part 4

Forced someone to do something they might not want to do

Part 5

Giving up or surrendering to someone’s demands

Part 6

even before any court had the facts

Happening even though no judge had yet looked at the evidence or decided if any law was broken

Sentence 5 of 17

English Original

Article 19(1)(a) protects speech precisely because it can sometimes be unwelcome to powerful groups.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Article 19(1)(a)

The specific part of the Indian Constitution that gives citizens the right to freedom of speech

Part 2

protects

Keeps safe or defends

Part 3

speech

The ability to express thoughts or opinions

Part 4

precisely because it can sometimes be to

Specifically because what people say might sometimes be disliked by people in high positions or with a lot of influence

Context and Background

Article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution

Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India guarantees to all its citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression. This is a fundamental right, though it is subject to “reasonable restrictions” mentioned in Article 19(2).

Sentence 6 of 17

English Original

The restrictions that the state can impose are enumerated in Article 19(2), and have to be proportionate.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The restrictions that the state can

The limits or rules that the government is allowed to put on people’s freedom

Part 2

are

Are listed one by one

Part 3

in Article 19(2)

Inside the second part of Article 19 of the Constitution

Part 4

Fair and not more than what is actually needed to solve the problem

Context and Background

Article 19(2) - Reasonable Restrictions

Article 19(2) allows the government to put “reasonable restrictions” on free speech for specific reasons: the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offense.

Sentence 7 of 17

English Original

Courts have also separated speech that offends from speech related to violence or disorder.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Courts

The judges and legal systems that decide on laws

Part 2

have also separated

Have made a clear distinction or difference between two things

Part 3

speech that

Words or art that people might dislike or find hurtful to their feelings

Part 4

from speech related to violence or

Between words that actually cause physical fighting or break the law and peace

Sentence 8 of 17

English Original

In the present case, the FIR is a threat, issued by a Chief Minister no less, to mobilise the coercive machinery of criminal law, a sign that the state fears public debate and wants to flatten the issue to a matter of discipline.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the present case

In this current situation that we are talking about

Part 2

the FIR

The police report against the filmmakers

Part 3

a threat, issued by a Chief Minister no less, to the of criminal law

A warning, given by a very powerful leader, to use the force of the police and courts to punish people

Part 4

a sign that the state fears public debate and wants to the issue to a matter of

A proof that the government is afraid of people talking or arguing openly and wants to treat the whole thing as just a problem of following orders

Sentence 9 of 17

English Original

Of late, the visual arts have often been met with restrictions.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Recently or in the last few months/years

Part 2

the visual arts

Art forms that we look at, such as films, paintings, or photography

Part 3

have often been met

Have frequently faced or encountered

Part 4

with restrictions

With limits or bans put on them

Sentence 10 of 17

English Original

In 2023, West Bengal ordered that The Kerala Story not be screened in the State to maintain “law and order”; a few months earlier, the Centre had directed platforms to remove links to the BBC documentary, India: The Modi Question, sans a judicial finding on illegality.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2023

During the year 2023

Part 2

West Bengal

The state government of West Bengal

Part 3

ordered

Officially told people something must be done

Part 4

that The Kerala Story not be screened in the State to maintain “”

That the film ‘The Kerala Story’ should not be shown in cinemas to keep the peace and prevent riots

Part 5

the Centre

The Central (Union) Government of India

Part 6

had directed

Had given a formal order or instruction

Part 7

platforms

Websites or apps like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) that host content

Part 8

to remove links to the BBC , India: The Modi Question, a on

To take down web links to the BBC film about Prime Minister Modi, without a judge first deciding if it was actually against the law

Context and Background

Bans on

In 2023, the West Bengal government banned the movie ‘The Kerala Story’ citing potential communal tensions, but the Supreme Court later overturned this ban. Earlier that year, the Central government used emergency powers to block links to a BBC documentary about PM Modi, arguing it was “propaganda” and threatened India’s sovereignty.

Sentence 11 of 17

English Original

Other examples include Kaum De Heere (2014), India’s Daughter (2015), Padmaavat (2018), and the documentaries, Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War and Contract to Kill (both 2024).

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Other examples

Additional cases of films or shows being blocked by the government

Part 2

include

Consist of or have as parts

Part 3

Kaum De Heere (2014), India’s Daughter (2015), Padmaavat (2018), and the , Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War and Contract to Kill (both 2024)

The specific names and years of movies and factual shows that faced bans or trouble in India

Context and Background

History of Film Bans in India

India has a long history of restricting films. ‘Kaum De Heere’ was about Indira Gandhi’s assassins; ‘India’s Daughter’ focused on the 2012 Delhi gang rape; and ‘Padmaavat’ faced massive protests from Rajput groups over historical portrayal. The 2024 documentaries mentioned were Australian news reports that were reportedly blocked for content critical of Indian intelligence agencies.

Sentence 12 of 17

English Original

In a diverse society, people can plausibly say they are hurt by many things, which is why sentiments are not useful thresholds to trigger a criminal process.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In a society

In a country like India where there are many different religions, cultures, and opinions

Part 2

people

The citizens or members of the public

Part 3

can say

Can reasonably or believably claim

Part 4

they are hurt by many things

Their feelings are offended by many different types of art or speech

Part 5

why sentiments are not useful to a criminal process

The reason why people’s feelings should not be the starting point for starting a police case or legal punishment

Sentence 13 of 17

English Original

Equally, when film-makers and distributors believe that the safest way out is to erase contested material rather than defend it in law, the public loses access to the work, courts lose the chance to clarify legal standards, society loses a chance to exercise the democratic response to controversial art — e.g., boycott or satire in return — and, over time, the marketplace of ideas wilts.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Equally

In the same way or with the same importance

Part 2

when film-makers and believe that the safest way out is to erase material rather than defend it in law

When the people who make and sell movies think it is better to delete the controversial parts instead of fighting for them in court

Part 3

the public

The general people of the country

Part 4

access to the work

The ability to see or enjoy the film or art

Part 5

the chance to legal standards

The opportunity for judges to make the rules about free speech clearer for everyone

Part 6

a chance to exercise the democratic response to art (e.g., or in return)

The opportunity for people to react to art they dislike in peaceful ways, like refusing to watch it or making fun of it

Part 7

the

The public space where different thoughts and opinions compete with each other

Part 8

Becomes weak or begins to die (like a flower without water)

Sentence 14 of 17

English Original

Speech is not always free of consequences but the state bears the burden to examine it with specificity.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Speech

The act of expressing opinions or ideas

Part 2

free of

Without any results or punishments following it

Part 3

the state

The government or the country’s official authorities

Part 4

Has the specific responsibility or duty

Part 5

to examine it with

To look at exactly what was said or shown very carefully instead of using general excuses

Sentence 15 of 17

English Original

A more sensible response, when there is a credible claim of unlawfulness, is for the aggrieved party to seek judicial relief, record the reasons, and adopt the least restrictive measure.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A more response

A better and more logical way to react

Part 2

when there is a claim of

When there is a believable reason to think that something is against the law

Part 3

for the to seek , record the reasons, and adopt the

For the person who feels hurt to go to court for help, write down the proof, and use the smallest amount of force or limits possible

Sentence 16 of 17

English Original

Taking executive action flies in the face of this constitutional process.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Taking

When the government officials (like ministers) make decisions or rules directly without using courts or legislatures

Part 2

Completely goes against or contradicts

Part 3

this

The correct legal way of doing things as set out in the Constitution

Sentence 17 of 17

English Original

It is Mr. Adityanath’s responsibility to ensure public order while allowing people to express themselves, not to maintain it by curtailing expression altogether.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The following duty or task

Part 2

Mr. Adityanath’s to

The job of the Chief Minister to make sure there is no violence or trouble in the state

Part 3

while allowing people to express themselves

At the same time as letting people say what they think through their words or art

Part 4

not to maintain it by expression

Instead of keeping peace by completely stopping people from speaking or showing their art

Sentence 1 of 17

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The Uttar Pradesh government’s direction to file an FIR against the makers of the film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ highlights a troubling trend of state-led censorship.
2 The Chief Minister’s allegations that the title hurts sentiments led to the producer’s swift withdrawal of promotional materials before any judicial review.
3 The Constitution protects freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a), allowing only proportionate restrictions for maintaining public order, not for soothing hurt sentiments.
4 Comparing this case with previous instances like ‘The Kerala Story’ and the BBC documentary, the editorial notes a pattern of executive action overstepping judicial processes.
5 Resorting to criminal law instead of judicial relief creates a ‘chilling effect’ that weakens public debate and democratic responses like satire or boycotts.

Tone of the Editorial

Critical

Why this tone?

The editorial strongly disapproves of the state’s use of coercive criminal machinery to stifle artistic expression. Words like “stifling”, “threat”, “coercive machinery”, and “flies in the face of this constitutional process” clearly indicate a disapproving and critical stance toward the executive’s actions.

Sentence 1 of 17

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s direction to file a first information report (FIR) against the makers of a film over its title, Ghooskhor Pandat

The order given by the leader of Uttar Pradesh to start a police case against the film creators because of the name ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’

Part 2

Represents a fact or current state

Part 3

a sign of how sections of the ruling establishment have come to treat speech that they dislike

An indication of the way some parts of the government now deal with opinions or art they don’t agree with

Sentence 2 of 17

Mr. Adityanath alleged that the title attempts to disrupt social harmony and hurts religious or caste sentiments.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Mr. Adityanath

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

Part 2

alleged

Claimed or said without giving proof yet

Part 3

that the title attempts to disrupt social harmony and hurts religious or caste sentiments

That the name of the film tries to upset the peace between people and offends their religious or caste feelings

Sentence 3 of 17

The producer agreed to remove promotional materials for the film.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The producer

The person in charge of making and financing the film

Part 2

agreed

Accepted or said yes to the demand

Part 3

to remove promotional materials for the film

To take down posters, trailers, and other advertisements used to sell the movie

Sentence 4 of 17

A dispute over expression quickly became a policing matter and the threat of criminal process swiftly compelled capitulation, even before any court had examined the facts.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A dispute over expression

A disagreement about what someone is allowed to say or show

Part 2

a policing matter

Something that is now being handled by the police as a crime

Part 3

the threat of criminal process

The fear of being arrested, going to court, or being punished by law

Part 4

compelled

Forced someone to do something they might not want to do

Part 5

capitulation

Giving up or surrendering to someone’s demands

Part 6

even before any court had examined the facts

Happening even though no judge had yet looked at the evidence or decided if any law was broken

Sentence 5 of 17

Article 19(1)(a) protects speech precisely because it can sometimes be unwelcome to powerful groups.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Article 19(1)(a)

The specific part of the Indian Constitution that gives citizens the right to freedom of speech

Part 2

protects

Keeps safe or defends

Part 3

speech

The ability to express thoughts or opinions

Part 4

precisely because it can sometimes be unwelcome to powerful groups

Specifically because what people say might sometimes be disliked by people in high positions or with a lot of influence

Sentence 6 of 17

The restrictions that the state can impose are enumerated in Article 19(2), and have to be proportionate.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The restrictions that the state can impose

The limits or rules that the government is allowed to put on people’s freedom

Part 2

are enumerated

Are listed one by one

Part 3

in Article 19(2)

Inside the second part of Article 19 of the Constitution

Part 4

proportionate

Fair and not more than what is actually needed to solve the problem

Sentence 7 of 17

Courts have also separated speech that offends from speech related to violence or disorder.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Courts

The judges and legal systems that decide on laws

Part 2

have also separated

Have made a clear distinction or difference between two things

Part 3

speech that offends

Words or art that people might dislike or find hurtful to their feelings

Part 4

from speech related to violence or disorder

Between words that actually cause physical fighting or break the law and peace

Sentence 8 of 17

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the present case

In this current situation that we are talking about

Part 2

the FIR

The police report against the filmmakers

Part 3

a threat, issued by a Chief Minister no less, to mobilise the coercive machinery of criminal law

A warning, given by a very powerful leader, to use the force of the police and courts to punish people

Part 4

a sign that the state fears public debate and wants to flatten the issue to a matter of discipline

A proof that the government is afraid of people talking or arguing openly and wants to treat the whole thing as just a problem of following orders

Sentence 9 of 17

Of late, the visual arts have often been met with restrictions.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Of late

Recently or in the last few months/years

Part 2

the visual arts

Art forms that we look at, such as films, paintings, or photography

Part 3

have often been met

Have frequently faced or encountered

Part 4

with restrictions

With limits or bans put on them

Sentence 10 of 17

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2023

During the year 2023

Part 2

West Bengal

The state government of West Bengal

Part 3

ordered

Officially told people something must be done

Part 4

that The Kerala Story not be screened in the State to maintain “law and order”

That the film ‘The Kerala Story’ should not be shown in cinemas to keep the peace and prevent riots

Part 5

the Centre

The Central (Union) Government of India

Part 6

had directed

Had given a formal order or instruction

Part 7

platforms

Websites or apps like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) that host content

Part 8

to remove links to the BBC documentary, India: The Modi Question, sans a judicial finding on illegality

To take down web links to the BBC film about Prime Minister Modi, without a judge first deciding if it was actually against the law

Sentence 11 of 17

Other examples include Kaum De Heere (2014), India’s Daughter (2015), Padmaavat (2018), and the documentaries, Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War and Contract to Kill (both 2024).

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Other examples

Additional cases of films or shows being blocked by the government

Part 2

include

Consist of or have as parts

Part 3

Kaum De Heere (2014), India’s Daughter (2015), Padmaavat (2018), and the documentaries, Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War and Contract to Kill (both 2024)

The specific names and years of movies and factual shows that faced bans or trouble in India

Sentence 12 of 17

In a diverse society, people can plausibly say they are hurt by many things, which is why sentiments are not useful thresholds to trigger a criminal process.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In a diverse society

In a country like India where there are many different religions, cultures, and opinions

Part 2

people

The citizens or members of the public

Part 3

can plausibly say

Can reasonably or believably claim

Part 4

they are hurt by many things

Their feelings are offended by many different types of art or speech

Part 5

why sentiments are not useful thresholds to trigger a criminal process

The reason why people’s feelings should not be the starting point for starting a police case or legal punishment

Sentence 13 of 17

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Equally

In the same way or with the same importance

Part 2

when film-makers and distributors believe that the safest way out is to erase contested material rather than defend it in law

When the people who make and sell movies think it is better to delete the controversial parts instead of fighting for them in court

Part 3

the public

The general people of the country

Part 4

access to the work

The ability to see or enjoy the film or art

Part 5

the chance to clarify legal standards

The opportunity for judges to make the rules about free speech clearer for everyone

Part 6

a chance to exercise the democratic response to controversial art (e.g., boycott or satire in return)

The opportunity for people to react to art they dislike in peaceful ways, like refusing to watch it or making fun of it

Part 7

the marketplace of ideas

The public space where different thoughts and opinions compete with each other

Part 8

wilts

Becomes weak or begins to die (like a flower without water)

Sentence 14 of 17

Speech is not always free of consequences but the state bears the burden to examine it with specificity.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Speech

The act of expressing opinions or ideas

Part 2

free of consequences

Without any results or punishments following it

Part 3

the state

The government or the country’s official authorities

Part 4

bears the burden

Has the specific responsibility or duty

Part 5

to examine it with specificity

To look at exactly what was said or shown very carefully instead of using general excuses

Sentence 15 of 17

A more sensible response, when there is a credible claim of unlawfulness, is for the aggrieved party to seek judicial relief, record the reasons, and adopt the least restrictive measure.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A more sensible response

A better and more logical way to react

Part 2

when there is a credible claim of unlawfulness

When there is a believable reason to think that something is against the law

Part 3

for the aggrieved party to seek judicial relief, record the reasons, and adopt the least restrictive measure

For the person who feels hurt to go to court for help, write down the proof, and use the smallest amount of force or limits possible

Sentence 16 of 17

Taking executive action flies in the face of this constitutional process.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Taking executive action

When the government officials (like ministers) make decisions or rules directly without using courts or legislatures

Part 2

flies in the face of

Completely goes against or contradicts

Part 3

this constitutional process

The correct legal way of doing things as set out in the Constitution

Sentence 17 of 17

It is Mr. Adityanath’s responsibility to ensure public order while allowing people to express themselves, not to maintain it by curtailing expression altogether.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The following duty or task

Part 2

Mr. Adityanath’s responsibility to ensure public order

The job of the Chief Minister to make sure there is no violence or trouble in the state

Part 3

while allowing people to express themselves

At the same time as letting people say what they think through their words or art

Part 4

not to maintain it by curtailing expression altogether

Instead of keeping peace by completely stopping people from speaking or showing their art

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Artistic Freedom and State Action

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the implications of filing FIRs against artistic expression.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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