AAP Raises Questions Over Sudden Removal of ‘Satluj’ From Indian OTT Platforms

In a rather heated session of the Lok Sabha yesterday, members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took to the floor to flag what they described as a “shocking” move by the centre – the removal of the film Satluj from popular over‑the‑top (OTT) streaming services.

The film, which had already secured a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), was suddenly taken down after a notice, allegedly issued by a ministry official, cited “security concerns”. AAP leaders, however, argue that no concrete legal basis was presented, and that the step amounts to an outright act of censorship.

“We respect the fact that the CBFC cleared this movie, yet within days it vanished from every legal streaming platform,” said Delhi’s chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, during his remarks. “If there is a genuine threat, the government should lay out the specifics. Silencing art without explanation is a danger to our democratic fabric.”

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, responded later in the day, noting that the government had merely complied with a legal notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs that raised “national security” considerations. He added that the notice was forwarded to the OTT platforms, which acted in accordance with the directive.

Industry observers point out that the OTT space in India operates under a relatively new regulatory framework, and incidents like these highlight the ambiguous line between legitimate security concerns and undue curtailment of creative expression. “The lack of transparency fuels speculation,” said media analyst Priya Mehra. “A clear, public rationale would help calm nerves and set a precedent for future content disputes.”

The AAP has now demanded a written explanation from the centre and called for a parliamentary committee to examine the decision. They also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to establish a more robust, consultative process before any future takedowns, ensuring that creators are not left in the dark.