The Hindu : National : Blatant censorship on artistic production: SAHMAT

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Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
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Blatant censorship on artistic production: SAHMAT

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) on Wednesday sought the intervention of the Information and Broadcasting Minister to revoke the decision to stop the screening of a 40-year-old M.F. Husain documentary at the ongoing International Film Festival of India in Goa.

Writing on behalf of SAHMAT, artists Vivian Sundaram and Ram Rehman said: “In the interest of cultural freedom, we urge you to rescind the ban on Husain and allow his documentary to be screened.”

Expressing shock at the cancellation of the screening — scheduled for Tuesday — SAHMAT drew attention to the wider implications of “this act of blatant censorship imposed on artistic production.”

The decision taken by the Directorate of Film Festivals, following a demand by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), was an “abject failure of principle and thorough abdication of responsibility by officials entrusted with safeguarding the autonomy of cultural and artistic production.”

Continuing harassment

Referring to the slew of cases filed by the HJS and affiliate organisations against Husain, SAHMAT noted that the continuing harassment of one of India’s greatest artists reflected the failure of administrative authorities to stand up to coercive strategies.

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