Several screenings of a documentary focusing on jailed activist Umar Khalid were cancelled in various cities due to the lack of censor board certification. The documentary has been screened at several places around the world.
Screenings of a documentary titled 'Prisoner No: 626710 is Present', which focuses on jailed activist Umar Khalid, were cancelled in Pune and Nashik after the police informed organisers that such events would be illegal as the censor board had not certified the film. The Law and Society Committee at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru also cancelled a screening due to non-certification by the Central Board of Film Certification. This cancellation followed an earlier one by the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. Two Mumbai residents alleged that a private screening they had organised on September 19 was cancelled after police intimidated the managers of two venues they had approached to host the event.
The film certification body had stated on social media that public screening of an uncertified documentary is a violation of the Cinematograph Act, unless a specific exemption has been sought under the act. The Pune Police warned organisers that they and the audience would face consequences if the screening was held, but provided no clear answers when asked about the sections under which they would be booked.
The Working Title Film Club and Satyashodhak Vidyarthi Sanghatna had planned to screen the documentary at 6 pm on Saturday in Pune. However, the event was cancelled due to the lack of censor board certification. The organisers stated it was a 'tragic contradiction' that a documentary on the alleged use of legal mechanisms to suppress dissent was being silenced.
In Nashik, the Indian People’s Theatre Association condemned an attempt at suppression after receiving a call stating that screening a film without a censor certificate would constitute a non-bailable offence. The association said the attempt to prevent a film from being screened and discussed in solidarity with Umar Khalid raises serious concerns about the space available for dissent and public dialogue.
Khalid has been in judicial custody for six years in connection with the conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. The trial in the case is yet to begin.
Source:
Scroll.in
