NEW DELHI: A group of students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday distributed a pamphlet announcing the screening of a banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Calling the pamphlet “unauthorised and unwarranted”, the university issued an advisory that said: “Concerned students/individuals are firmly advised to desist from all such activities, failing which strict action will be taken as per university rules.”
“It has come to the notice that a group of students has released a pamphlet for screening a banned documentary scheduled for tomorrow at 9pm at Ganga Dhaba. No prior permission for this event has been taken from the IHA (inter hostel administration),” the advisory from the registrar said. It added that such activities “may disturb communal harmony and the peaceful environment of the university campus”.
The students’ pamphlet, circulated on WhatsApp, read: “In remembrance of the 2019 Delhi Police assault on Jamia Millia Islamia, AISF JNU is screening the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question at 9pm on Dec 17″.
The two-part BBC documentary, based on the 2002 Gujarat riots, was slated for showing in Jan 2023. The central govt had barred its release.
The students’ pamphlet said the screening will take place at Ganga Dhabha on the campus.
Dhananjay, president of JNUSU, expressed his support for the event. “The screening is being organised by All India Students’ Federation (AISF)…. I believe campuses should be spaces for critical analysis. Why does the documentary need to be banned? There should be a discussion on it, and the university should facilitate that. If any issues arise during the screening tomorrow, we will stand by the students.”
JNUSU joint secretary Sajid, who is with AISF, said police questioned him over the phone. “There is no procedure requiring prior permission to organise such events. We are determined to go ahead. If the authorities prevent us, we will find alternative ways. Whether it’s through laptops or phones, the screening will take place.”
