‘Need a censor body’: RSS forms panel for curbs on OTT’s ‘cultural pollution’ - The Indian Express

**RSS Calls for a Dedicated OTT Censor Body, Forms Advisory Panel**

New Delhi – The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) announced the creation of a 13‑member advisory panel tasked with drafting recommendations for a dedicated regulatory body to monitor over‑the‑top (OTT) streaming platforms. The panel, chaired by senior RSS ideologue **Mohan Bhagwat’s close aide** *Vijayendra Reddy*, includes cultural scholars, former bureaucrats and representatives from traditional media houses. In a statement released on Monday, the panel’s convenor said OTT services are “propagating cultural pollution” and that “self‑regulation has failed to curb content that offends Indian values and morals.” The group aims to submit a report to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within the next three months.

The move comes amid escalating tensions over digital content in India. Since the government introduced its first set of OTT guidelines in 2021, platforms have been required to adopt self‑rating systems and maintain a grievance redressal mechanism. High‑profile controversies—such as the depiction of religious rituals in *“The Family Man”* season two, the portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships in *“Murder in the Hills”*, and the use of profanity in several web series—have prompted calls from right‑leaning groups for stricter oversight. RSS officials argue that the existing framework is inadequate, pointing to a perceived increase in “obscene, vulgar and anti‑national” narratives that could erode the country’s cultural fabric.

Industry bodies and civil‑society groups have pushed back, warning that a state‑run censor board could stifle artistic freedom and infringe on constitutional free‑speech guarantees. The **Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)** cautioned that any new regulatory layer might delay content rollout and increase compliance costs for both domestic and foreign streaming services. Legal scholars noted that the Supreme Court has previously held that content regulation must balance moral concerns with freedom of expression, and that any new body would need clear statutory backing to avoid arbitrary bans. As the debate unfolds, the RSS panel’s findings could shape the next phase of digital media policy in India.

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