Gunjan Saxena Movie: Delhi HC Asks Ministry Of I&B To Decide On Representation To Delete Alleged Defamatory Scenes Against Air Force

The Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan has directed the concerned authorities to consider the averments made in the petition as a representation and dispose of the same in accordance with law.

Filed by Justice For Rights Foundation, the petition has sought for a direction to be issued to the Ministry of I&B and the Ministry of Defence to either delete or modify certain scenes from the Netflix movie Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, which as per the Petitioners, has shown the Indian Air Force in unduly negative light.

The petition states that:

'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has portrayed the Indian Air Force in an undue negative light. Some Scenes and dialogues in the movie are factually incorrect, misleading and portray an inappropriate work culture to glorify the screen character of the former Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena. Several male officers have been projected as misogynists to suit the film's false narrative. The false and negative portrayal of the Indian Air Force is an abuse of freedom of expression which ought to be censured.'

It is also averred by the Petitioners that they had made a representation before the Dharma Productions whereby the said production company had promised that it will 'represent Indian Air Force with authenticity and to make all efforts to ensure that the film helps inspire the next generation of IAF officers.'

It is, therefore, argued by the Petitioners that the production house did not modify or delete the scenes objected to by the Air Force, they just simply inserted a disclaimer. Mere disclaimer would not be sufficient and adequate to prevent the presentation of incorrect facts about the Indian Air Force.

While highlighting that the Indian Air Force was the first to open all its branches to women officers, including combat roles in 2015, the Petitioners contend that the gender discrimination which has been portrayed in the movie is incorrect, false and misleading.

'The glorious and prestigious Indian Air Force has ensured that the organisation is gender neutral and has always provided an equal opportunity to both male and female personnel. It is a well-known fact that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has the largest number of women officers serving actively', the Petitioners argued.

It is finally submitted by the Petitioners that the said movie has lowered the standing of the Indian Air Force in the eyes of the citizens and the blatant attempt on the part of the production house of the movie to portray and depict the Indian Air Force in the negative light weakens the courage and morale of the next generation of IAF officers.