It was the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) move to stall the screening of Nakul Singh Sawhney’s much debated documentary Muzzafarnagar Baaqi Hai that prompted a group called ‘Cinema of resistance’ to take the movie to a larger audience.
On a day when the movie was to be screened in 50 towns and cities across the country as a mark of their protest against the film’s censorship, the first signs of trouble are already showing.
The screening of the film has been shifted out of the slated venue in Chennai following alleged threats from the Hindutva lobby and the Chennai Police's refusal to provide security.
The film was supposed to be screened at reputed Arts Editor Sadanand Menon’s studio "Spaces" at Besant Nagar in Chennai.
“The screening was to be held at 6 pm today (Tuesday). Right from morning, I have been approached by policemen from several ranks, including the Inspector and the Deputy Commissioner, telling me that they cannot offer protection,” Menon told The News Minute.
Read Nakul singh Sawhney's interview by Newslaundry.
According to him, the organisers had announced a venue and time of the screening on a Facebook page that led to Hindutva forces taking umbrage against the screening and piling pressure on the police department.
“Instead of assuring us that they will provide protection, the police have been arm-twisting me to tell the organisers of the event that I cannot provide them with the venue,” he continued.
Menon added that the organisers have told him that they do not want to compromise his position and will organise the screening elsewhere. But a protest meeting will be held at “Spaces” in the evening.
“Muzaffarnagar Baki Hai” is being screened in many cities across the country on Tuesday, also to mark the death anniversary of the late documentary film-maker Subhadeep Chakraborty.
A few weeks ago, the screening of the film at Kirorimal College in Delhi was stalled by ABVP activists. The documentary narrates the tale of the riots that tore apart Muzaffarnagar in UP in 2013.