Though there was no public screening on the campus, over 200 students managed to watch the controversial documentary on their laptops, mobile phones and digital tabs. Earlier in the day, the students were handed out QR codes allowing access to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By evening, they gathered at a place to watch it on their respective devices, while the BJP Yuva Morcha staged a massive protest outing the campus.
On Friday, the administration of TISS issued a circular asking students to refrain from any such activity that “may disturb the academic environment and jeopardise the peace and harmony on the campus”.
The circular read: “It has come to our notice that some groups of students are planning to screen the BBC documentary that has created disturbance in some parts of the country. Some plan to organise gatherings to protest against related developments in a few universities. This is to inform all the students that the institute has not permitted any such screening and gatherings, which may disturb the academic environment and jeopardise the peace and harmony on our campuses.”
“Any action by students against the advisory will be dealt with strictly as per the rules. We advise all students to refrain from engaging in any such activities in contravention to this advisory,” the circular read.
While the Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF) condemned the decision and announced the screening for the next day, they had to resort to makeshift arrangements for individual viewing.
Earlier on Saturday, BJP’s Mumbai chief and MLA Ashish Shelar sought police action against TISS students who were planning to screen the film on campus. “I urge the police to act or else we will have to step in,” he said.
Mr. Shelar, also the treasurer of the BCCI, had said that it was a bogus documentary. “Whoever is determined to show it in public is escalating tensions, which will lead to a law and order situation.”
The institute should stop the students from screening the documentary, he had demanded.
