The Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s decision to deny censor exemption certification to three documentaries has come under fire. The central government denied permission to screen three documentaries at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, which is based on recent national controversies including Rohit Vemula suicide, unrest in Kashmir and agitation in JNU.
The films which were denied certification are ‘The Unbearable Being of Lightness,’ which is based on the Rohith Vemula suicide; ‘In the shade of Fallen Chinar,’ which is based on the unrest in Kashmir, and ‘March, March, March’, based on the student agitation at JNU.
Kerala’s Cultural Affairs Minister, A K Balan said on Monday that it is a sign of a fascist trend in the country.
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Director of ‘March, March, March’, Kathu Lukose said on Monday that she would move the court against the decision by the government. She called the decision arbitrary and said that there was no explanation from the centre of the denial of approval.
Moreover, the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, organiser of the film festival, said it would lodge an official appeal against the decision.
A student of arts and aesthetics, Lukose said, “No reason has been given by the government. If you look at the nature of the films that were denied permission, you can understand the reason. This has been a common trend against student uprising and against artists for some time now. Look at the nature of the films that were denied permission, you can understand the reason. This has been a common trend against student uprising and against artists for some time now”.
According to the government, the three documentaries deal with sensitive issues and could lead to ineffective results.
A K Balan, however, said, “For some time we are seeing a fascist trend that is intolerant towards dissent and trying to silence the voice of dissent through threats. Why are some people scared when movies are made for discussion on current political situations?”.
