The Central Board of Film Certification’s refusal to issue a censor certificate to the documentary, No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka , is a step in the right direction (Feb.23). Uncensored telecast of such a controversial film will certainly vitiate the atmosphere in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. While the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army deserve a thorough investigation by the international community in the absence of a credible inquiry being carried out by the Rajapaksa government, disturbing visuals from the film can give a fillip to the campaign of pro-LTTE groups.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Tiruchi
The CBFC’s move is patently wrong. There is no denying the fact that the LTTE was a terrorist and fascist organisation responsible for the terrible happenings in Sri Lanka; it is also true that it was responsible for the loss of countless civilian lives in the final phase of the war. At the same time, we cannot be blind to the fact that despite the garb of “patriotism” with which each government clothes its military forces, the post-victory celebrations were barbaric, indecent and inhuman. As citizens of a free world, we have the right to be aware of the stark realities and the ugly side of life. The CBFC’s move only insults our intelligence and capacity to make a rational judgment.
S.P. Asokan,
Chennai
