Nakul Singh Sawhney’s controversial documentary Muzaffarnagar Abhi Baki Hai is in the limelight after its screening was disrupted at two universities recently.
While ABVP volunteers opposed the screening at a Delhi University college, students at Jawaharlal Nehru University managed to screen the movie despite opposition from the administration.
But what makes the documentary controversial?
The documentary is based on the riots in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar in 2013, which witnessed a number of deaths and led to many Hindus and Muslims being displaced. It shows how leaders of two political outfits provoke masses into committing atrocities. Also, the documentary looks at the present condition of those displaced during the riots.
The documentary, which runs for over two hours, includes numerous interviews of families of both the communities that were affected.
Former president of the JNU Students’ Union, Lenin Kumar, said: “There is nothing wrong with the documentary. It is not as if the director created a work of fiction. ABVP is trying to disrupt the screening because they are against creative freedom. This shows what is happening in the country as well. Just one group of people are trying to dictate terms.”
However, ABVP’s Saket Bahuguna said: “Our problem with the documentary is that it shows that only Muslims were affected in the riots. An equal number of Hindus were also affected.”
