Symbiosis University has cancelled the screening of documentary filmmaker Sanjay Kak's Jashn-e-Azadi on Kashmir, after the right-wing student organisation, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), raised objections to its ‘separatist' nature. The film was supposed to be screened at a three-day national seminar called ‘Voices of Kashmir' at the Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, organised in association with the University Grants Commission (UGC) on February 3, 4 and 5.
The organisation now wants the entire seminar cancelled, ABVP Pune unit Secretary Shailendra Dalvi told The Hindu on Saturday evening. “The content of the seminar, like the film, is anti-India, and against the Indian Army. We will not stand for anything that divides the country. Symbiosis has agreed to cancel the film screening, and we are giving them three days' time to think about the event, too,” Mr. Dalvi stated.
Last week, Jaipur Literature Festival organisers were forced to cancel a videoconference with author Salman Rushdie after protesters threatened to disrupt the event.
Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce principal Hrishikesh Soman stated that the ABVP had approached him on Friday, and that the college agreed to cancel the film screening “considering their [ABVP's] emotions and feelings.” “I told them that the seminar is entirely academic, apolitical and non-religious. But the film has met with criticism from all corners. So we have decided to avoid unnecessary controversies and cancel the screening,” Mr. Soman said. “If people have a very strong reason to protest the film, then we should be tolerant enough,” he stated. The seminar will be attended by senior journalist and Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar, among others.
Asked if the college would cancel the event altogether, Mr. Soman said: “After the first meeting, the ABVP has not made such a request yet. If they do, then we will try to sort it out.” Asked if the cancellation of the film screening withheld the students' right to experience and discuss all sides of the Kashmir conflict, Mr. Soman said: “I don't want to get into petty issues. The seminar will be purely intellectual, and will focus on socio-cultural and educational issues in Kashmir.”
Mr. Soman said Mr. Kak had been “informed categorically” that the film screening had been cancelled. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Kak stated he would be attending the seminar in spite of the cancellation. “I will utilise the two hours given to me and talk about what I want to talk about,” he said. Mr. Kak is scheduled to deliver a presentation on “Speaking about Kashmir” on February 3. His film, Jashn-e-Azadi, made in 2007, explores the meaning of azadi (freedom) in violence-gripped Kashmir.
Apart from Mr. Kak and Mr. Padgaonkar, the panel of speakers includes Hamid Marazi, Zaffar Iffat Fatima, M.K. Raina, Pran Kishore, Sanjay Nahar, and Babali Saraf. Iffat Fatima's documentary Where Have You Hidden My New Crescent Moon will be screened at the seminar, a press note stated.
Keywords: Jashn-e-Azadi, ABVP, Sanjay Kak, artistic freedom, academics and politics
the act of A BV P is savagery and barbarous. it should be condemned by all democrats and peace loving people.
This is an absolute disgrace! We simply do not understand what it means to be a free society. If you oppose the content then don't attend the screening or make your own film. Shame on this cowardly principal from Symbiosis who abandoned such a basic principle at the first sign of trouble from hooligans. What is equally worrying is the fact that this film did not receive approval by the censor board. Apart from the shame of this censorship culture, the real tragedy is that the Indian public remains completely unaware of the realities of Kashmir and that ignorance is being forcefully preserved every step of the way.
"considering their [ABVP's] emotions and feelings." And what about the feelings and emotions and rights of the Kashmiri people to express their views, however controversial it might be? If the content is seditious, then take them to court. I cannot go by the view of goons from ABVP, an organization with zero credibility and a history of using violence for political ends. And what about my feelings and emotions and my rights to be exposed to ideas? As I commented on the Rushdie affair, these are not "Hindu vs Muslim" issues. These are "liberals vs Extremist" issues and there are extremists and intolerant bigots in every religion whom free society should stand united against.
I apologize for the errors in my comments on 29 January. I am fast losing my vision, but I can not let such extremes go unchallenged. I am sorry again for my errors. It should not be difficult for anyone to identify the errors and correct them. Pardon me, readers - it is my desire to participate that is compulsive. Sightless or sighted Apathy is the one most destructive of social values and Edmund Burke summed it up as well as anyone could "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little".
I have not seen the film. In the first place ABVP should not take law into its own hands and oppose the screening of the film, even if it castigates Indian state as a tyrant which is forcibly denying Kashmiris (majority community) their right to free the state from Indian Union.It is rather the responsibility of the Govt of India to check that it does't allow any such activity to by any individual or by an agency which demorlises our valiant armed forces. I think it is a ploy by the present Govt. to keep silent on such issues and allow organizations like ABVP to do the needful, so that they are able to swell their vote bank. But at the same time the same govt. (for all the right reasons) is very prompt in preventing any thing which hurts the emotions of one particular community, again with eye on its vote-bank. It is because of these double standards by the Govt that people/ agencies are able to take advantage of that.
First, Freedom of speech can not be used to propagate seditious campaigns. It is wise on the part of organizer to have cancelled the show. At the same time, it is interesting point to note that the government in this case should have stepped in but apparently, it didn't act against a seditious campaign. I assume, the Maharashtra Congress Government chose to be a mute spectator for the very same reason for which another Congress Government hurriedly intervened in preventing Salman Rushdie's presentation in Jaipur fest. The omission and commission of the Governments in both these cases are glaring vote bank politics and has nothing to do with gagging freedom of speech. The Maharashtra government used the rightful nationalist view of ABVP (in this case) to its advantage. It would have been interesting if Deoband or JKLF weighed in for screening the film Jashn-e-Azadi, which side the Government would have been.
Sorry to see that India is being Talibanised at speed.
The country is going to dogs. People must have the liberty to make an informed decision on all matters. What is wrong in hearing what everybody has to say on Kashmir issue? ABVP - please mature and grow up....is there any 'vidya' in your Parishad? If yes, you wont be behaving like this...today is not the rule of the Law...it is the jungle out there...ten people can join and derail anything...we do not seem to be in a democratic republic...looks more like mobocratic banana republic...
It is wrong to club the two events. The extracts of the film are available on You Tube. Rushdie affair was anti religious in nature and hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world and his presence at the festival is a debatable issue. This film is straight away highlighting the azadi movement in Kashmir. It is a propaganda piece for the anti India forces. It could even be termed as unconstitutional. It is sad that it has been made by a Kashmiri pandit whose entire community became a victim of these separatista and were hounded out of the valley. Screening this film is going too far on freedom of expression.
Its true the film was made in the year 2007,and it was also screened in the cities like New Delhi, Srinagar, Bangalore, Pune, Nasik, Guwahati and Shillong.CBFC has not certified the film as some one said.Infact in the year 2007 itself Mumbai police stopped the private screening,stating it didn't have a censor certificate,and the CBFC said they cannot issue a certificate since the documentary doesn't fall under the purview of Indian Cinematographic Act.There it was stopped! after that it was never screened anywhere.Now out of blue moon, the film has sprung up again.Why, for what, we don't know,but it correlates with the Rushdie issue,that's what surprises me and creates a suspicion.I may be wrong, if some body has a better view please correct me!
I am so glad that that ABVP has started this controversy! I am now aware of a documentary that I was not aware of! Now I a must make an effort to see this movie. I really don't understand the mindset of people who are afraid of so-called anti-Indian things. I wonder whether it reflects a groundless fear that the republic is weak and prone to dissolution and therefore must be protected from criticism lest it break up. Please have more confidence in yourself and your country!
Irrespective of religious affiliation, human rights do not figure in the Indian culture. Show me one Indian equivalent of a Thomas Paine.
There is something called Statecraft, let us not forget that. We, Indians, are NOT ready to redraw our national boundaries based on considerations of creed (or whatever). There is an overwhelming popular consensus on this. We are not going to cede an inch to anyone, anymore. It is important for the Kashmiri Muslims to understand, appreciate this, and attempt a forthright integration into the national mainstream. However, what is posing and passing for freedom of speech, of this and the kind exhibited by Arundhati Roy, is sheer creedalism. These soldiers of the 'Caliphate' are surely unwelcome in India.
The ABVP should stop this hypocritical behavior.If you see ,they saying the main reason for stopping the screening is because and I quotes "We will not stand for anything that divides the country".....With the affiliations,ideology and history ABVP has its clear of their double standards.The government should stop these organizations from breeding
Mr. Jaya Prakash "Because every Indian irrespective of the religion he believes in, believes Kashmir is part of India, where is the question of celebration of freedom for Kashmir then?" Yes, every Indian does believe in that, not a Kashmiri . And Kashmir is a historically distinct nation, a distinct nationality, a distinct country. The country, the nation comes first, you know. That's what this film is about - the loss of a Nation,nationhood, a country Kashmiris ( irrespective of religion) inhabited.
What is the difference between people who opposed Salman Rushdie and ABVP ? Both are two sides of same coin. This country will soon be ruled by such brainless people.
ABVP once again proved their true colour. Intolerance is their birth right.
Having read comments from fellow readers - especially those who say
that the film is controversial "just going by its name" or praise ABVP "for doing what the government should have done" or saying this issue is different from the 'Salman Rushdie in Jaipur' affair, I am obliged to respond. Firstly some background: The documentary maker Sanjay Kak is a fellow Indian - born in Pune, educated in Delhi. The film is about Kashmir - which everyone agrees is part of India. The film was made in 2007. One assumes that CBFC have certified this movie. The movie has been screened in several places in India (and abroad) - Bangalore, Gorakhpur, Patna, Bareilly, Lucknow, Nainital etc. So why is ABVP trying to use muscle power to stop screening this now? One can only surmise that this is to flex their muscles in response to the "Salman Rushdie in Jaipur" affair. The question is: Do we want to live in a democracy and allow fellow Indians to express their opinion, or do we want to be ruled by muscle power?
Is Freedom of Expression only an exclusive right for Rushdie alone.. Will liberals speak up this time. or will the quot;nationalist" feeling blind them....
It is a testing time for 'free','liberal' and 'independent' voices and their reaction to this ABVP threat.
ABVP is Neo-Manuvadi group whose whole and sole duty is to shut the mouths of liberals, social reformers and leftists in the name of anti-nationalism and anti-hinduism. Government should ward them off from their dirty diktat. We are not going to bow down to such medieval aged nuances.
Coming from Pune, I am extremely saddened by the decision, and more so by the
"reason" that the principal of Symbiosis Institue Mr. Soman gave, in the regard of screening Mr. Kak's film. Firstly, as the principal he should have known better than to bow down to bullies as easily as he did. Especially, when he could've stood for what was right, and been an example of what the institute stands for (if at all it stands for anything, which I have by doubts about now that this has happened). Instead he comes across glaringly as a coward, trying to justify his actions by merely saying that he didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Is he not aware of what happened in Jaipur? If he were aware, didn't he feel that such things cannot go on in this country?
What is even more shocking is that he considers the point that The Hindu made on witholding the rights of students to having views about regional and communal issues as "petty". It seems that he thinks ABVP's demands were rational. Messy!
What do the yuong members of ABVP want" Muscle free speech? Deny a different point of view? Deny there were human rights violations? Much as they want to have a right to their opinion, they should also respect facts presented that may run counter to their "opinion". Is India reaching a stage when everyone should be Pavolova;s dog? This is tyranny, by a minority. Have ABVP read Tagore. His Gitanjali was and is acclaimed by all. May be ABVP do not know and I can only say, "Lord, Pardpm them. They know now what they are doing", and within the free speech limitations I will just quote a few lines of Tagore - " Where the mind is without fear and the head held high;
Where knowledge is free; ----
Where the words come out from the depths of truth; -----
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary sand of dead habit;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake".
One despairs with men like Soman and the ABVP- will the country ever wake up!
Who are these hooligans to decide what could be screened and what should not be for us? Thanks to them freedom of speech and expression and the space for different opinion is fast shrinking in our society. What is even more appalling is the spineless manner in which the government respond and let such minority of right wingers have their way. Shameful.
One more sad and dark chapter in the Indian democratic history of recent times of the weakest establishment ever seen in the country, choking the freedom of expression, succumbing to growing intolerance. Who is weak and who is strong? It's time the Government came out with a strong assertion.
I think the two incidents should not be compared. The Rushdie incident was about right of expression of an Individual, the protest was for the person entering India, in spite of the controversial book already banned, that created a flutter and got the support of neutral thinking citizens. But even if he had got an opportunity to speak in Jaipur he could not have criticized any particular religion in the name of right of expression, definitely the whole of India would have objected. Thats for sure.'Jashn-e-Azadi' can be translated as ' celebration of freedom', and the film is based on Kashmir! The name itself makes it controversial. Because every Indian irrespective of the religion he believes in, believes Kashmir is part of India, where is the question of celebration of freedom for Kashmir then? I don't know the contents of the film, but the name sure looks controversial. Our constitution gives us the right of expression, but I strongly feel it has some limitations too, especially when it comes to criticizing other religions, their beliefs, and sensitive national issues. The Country comes first, its bigger and larger than an Individual, I think the right of expression should not be used to raise a sensitive national issue. In simple our right of expression cannot and should not harm another individual or the Nation.
Seditious art has no place . the Government is spineless in India. What should have been done by the Government has been done by ABVP. Good job ABVP! Keep it up.
How many times will our institutions bow to extremist demands ? We have to put a stop to this ridiculous thuggery.
This could not be compared to that of the Salman Rushdie affair. While
the Salman one was an issue of appeasement of a section of the society
due to the fast advancing elections, the current one seems to have been
due to the anti-India content. While it would be fashionable to be anti-
India and take umbrage under elitism, one would need to retrospect the
volume of damage that these would do to the cause of the armed forces'
morale.
This is not right, as a citizen of this country I’m deeply saddened by the fact that the very basic principles of freedom of expression and tolerance are being challenged every day and we are succumbing to them without putting up a fight. By cancelling the screening of the movie, I think the management has sent out a wrong message to its students, that of lack of courage. The institution has to lead by example in these circumstances. The ‘students ‘ of these so called student organizations have to learn that there are two sides to every coin and you cannot ignore the other by only looking at one side.
The question is; Am I allowed to go back to my 'cave days' and start scribbling on stone (all over again) without anyone protesting?
First the Jaipur Lit Fest issue, and now this. This is a really worrying
trend that all Indians irrespective of their religious faith should be
extremely vigilant about. All attempts to gag freedom of expression must
be resisted. In this context, one should also note BJP's election
manifesto - with building a temple for Ram high in their blatantly
communal approach to democracy. India as a nation has had a history of
tolerance and reasoning, and we mustn't allow a small, albeit vocal,
group of extremists to hijack the agenda.
I wish the groups like ABVP get more active and enforce a ban on similar
works of art that make an effort to reflect the reality. By forcing a
ban through their brute power they actually help in spreading the
message of that which they are banning. No amount of positive publicity
would bring in the attention and focus the same way as the negative
publicity. ABVP long live. May you work towards banning every work that
needs public attention.
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