[From Vikalp: Films for Freedom, Mumbai.
-sudeep]
The Vikalp Mumbai screenings of Sanjay Kak's Jashn-e-Azadi at
Bhupesh Gupta Bhavan on Friday July 27, and at Prithvi on July 30th
were stopped by the Mumbai police based on a report/complaint that
the film had inflammatory material and could cause a law and order
problem. This despite the fact that the film has been screened in
New Delhi, bangalore, Pune, and elsewhere without any protest,
complaint, or law and order situation.
At Bhupesh Gupta Bhavan some 50 odd people watched the drama unfold
as a large contingent of senior police officers and intelligence men
arrived with a search and seize warrant and seized the dvd copy of
the film.
The Bhupesh Gupta management stood firmly on our side and stopped
the police from entering the hall without a proper warrant, since
this was a private space and a private screening. It was only after
this, and our insistence that they give us an order in writing that
the police made the effort to get a proper warrant.
Vikalp has drafted the following statement of protest:
STATEMENT
We strongly condemn the unwarranted action of the
Mumbai police in stopping a private screening of the
film 'Jashn-e-Azadi' in Mumbai on Friday, July 27.
This clearly violates the established principles of
freedom of expression in a democratic state. The film
has already been screened in various other cities like
Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and even Srinagar. Nowhere else
has any authority objected to it, and neither has it
caused any "law and order" problems as the Mumbai
police claim to fear.
We demand an inquiry in to this matter and an
explanation for the high-handedness of the police. We
further urge the authorities to return the confiscated
DVDs of the film, and to refrain from any further
unconstitutional action against the screening of the
film elsewhere in the city.
Needless to say, our screenings will continue evey month as usual.
Thanks for your support !
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