Sacred Games controversy: 'I&B Ministry to form guidelines for web-series,' claim sources. Here's why it's significant

Following a massive row over the Netflix India Original web series ‘Sacred Games’, Information and Broadcasting sources have told Republic TV that the ministry might formulate guidelines for web series.

“We are still in the process of making any clear guideline for the web series. Guidelines are in the process of being formulated," said the I&B sources.

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?

The new development is significant because as though there is a broadcasting code for TV channels, there is no such guideline or policy for the Internet content. Once, formulated, the guidelines will cover all kinds of online content from the news perspective to general entertainment content. After the regulation, the freedom which allows freedom to create any type of content for everyone will come under the purview of these guidelines.

Even before its formulation, the talks of the guidelines have triggered a debate with people saying the guidelines could balkanise the internet.

Earlier in April, the former I-B minister Smriti Irani had also said that notification for the creation of a 10 member committee has been issued, which mentions that framework will be formulated for “online media/news portals including digital broadcasting and entertainment/infotainment sites and news / media aggregators.”

Meanwhile, while addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the party has always maintained the independence of artists. However, he also launched a veiled attack on the makers of ‘Sacred Games’ saying “nobody should twist historical facts and truth in a manner which suits a particular agenda of a particular individual”.

“Indian National Congress has always maintained the artistic independence and many times we have said that storytelling is part of our fundamental rights. It is, however, also true that nobody should twist historical facts and truth in a manner which suits a particular agenda of a particular individual, or tarnish the image of another individual. Like the filmmaker has a right to make a movie, however, distorted it may be or may not be, the publication has also its right to opinion,” said Congress leader Surjewala.

This comes after two congressmen filed a complaint against the web-series ‘Sacred Games’ In their complaints, the Congressmen accused the show of maligning the image of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and also showing the decision taken by the then Prime Minister in the Shah Bano case in “bad light”.

A plea was also filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking the editing and deletion of certain scenes from the Netflix's 'India Original' series 'Sacred Games' on the premise that the Saif Ali Khan-starrer is derogatory to former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi. The petition was submitted before a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar. The petitioner in the case had identified himself as Tariq and claims he is a member and supporter of the Indian National Congress. On Thursday the Delhi High Court adjourned the hearing in the case till Monday.

‘Sacred Games’, a Netflix India Original show, which has gone viral across the globe for its gripping content, was released on the online viewing platform on July 6. The show, which is based on author Vikram Chandra’s thriller novel from 2006 by the same name, features Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte and Nawazuddin Siddiqui among others in pivotal roles.