3 documentaries ‘banned’ from International film festival

Three documentaries, including one on the tragic death of Rohith Vemula and its aftermath were denied censor exemption by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India for the upcoming International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, which begins on June 16.

A look at these 3 documentaries which were denied permission without the ministry citing any reason is illuminating. They are about the 3 issues in which the ruling BJP bungled deeply and caused much suffering and pain to the concerned citizens especially students.

“The Unbearable Being of Lightness” by P.N. Ramachandra is based on Rohith Vemula’s suicide, “In the shade of Fallen Chinar” by NC Fazil and Shawn Sebastian is about the ongoing unrest in Kashmir about the student community for whom Art takes the form of resistance, and “March, March, March” by Kathu Lukose which explores the student agitation at the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Undeclared emergency in the country

Kamal, chairman of the Chalachithra Academy that hosts the festival said. “The ministry hasn’t cited any reason for denying censor exemption for these films, which are based on socially relevant themes. I think these films were denied permission because they deal with intolerance in country. He said the country was going through an “undeclared emergency”. “It is a time when the rulers decide what we should eat, what we should wear and what we should watch.”

The Academy has appealed against the centre’s move.