Refused NOC For Film On Gay Officer As It Would Show Indian Army In Poor Light, Raises Security Issues: Defence Ministry

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on Friday stated that the Indian Army refused to grant NOC for a film based on the life of a gay officer as it would show the armed force "in poor light" and it raises "security issues". In a written response to Varun Gandhi, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt in Lok Sabha stated that the reason for refusal for granting NOC for the film is the portrayal of a "romantic relationship between an Army soldier serving in Kashmir and a local boy" which casts Indian Army in "poor light and raises security issues". "The rationale behind issuing NOC to filmmakers/producers for movies based on defence-related themes is to ensure that the Armed Forces are not depicted in a manner which brings disrepute to the Armed Forces/Government/Country, as also to ensure factual accuracy and that no classified matters are brought out in the open domain that could effect in security of the country," the Defence MoS stated, as mentioned in a release by the Ministry of Defence. NOCs By Indian Navy, IAF The Defence Ministry's statement on Friday also mentioned that "1 proposal for the NOC has been received by Indian Navy during the last ten years which is pending".