India needs its soft power the most at a point like now when the world is in transition. But none of the effervescence and energy that makes this ‘soft power’ happen is possible when you have everything at the end of a tight leash.
The possibility of a double-censor, police and court action for storylines, characters portrayed in films, straitjacketing, downright intimidation, and haranguing of those the government thinks do not agree with it, will smother this precious Indian asset.
Surely, this government must wish to draw mileage from soft power at a difficult time for itself. The self-goal of destroying a vital source of our soft power at a time like this is mystifying.
Actor Raj Kapoor swayed to a memorable song in 1955
Mera joota hai Japani,
Yeh patloon Englistani,
Sar par lal topi Roosi,
Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani,
(my shoes are from Japan, my trousers English, the cap I wear is Red (Russian) but my heart is Hindustani).
It was a smashing hit and the best expression of the…