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Sabrang Team
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Press
Releses / Sabrang Alerts
______________________________________________________
A
film on Gujarat violence is refused censor certificate
by
Revising Committee of the Censor
Board, Mumbai and banned the Film.
Dear Sir,
Aakrosh, a short film on effect of communal violence hich took place
in Gujarat in 2002 has again been denied the Censor Certificate for
Public Exhibition by the revising Committee of Central Board of Film
Certification, Mumbai to whom we had appealed against previous
decision of Censor Committee headed by Arvind
Trivedi, a BJP ruling party leader, Ex M.P. from the Gujarat State
denying Censor Certificate to the film and it will be first film in
India which is denied certificate for Public Exhibition even Censor
Board has not suggested any cuts but instead almost banned the film
on grounds that it “ reminds the people about
Gujarat violence”.
It is a denial of fundamental right of creative expression and
freedom of information and shocking act on part of Censor Board.
Background:
Communal Violence started in Gujarat from 28th Feb 2002.
We started touring the riot affected areas from 4th March
2002 onward and covered the Relief camps, riot affected areas,
interviewed hundred of victims of the riot, witnessed death and
destruction by our own eyes. We continued the shooting till April
2002 end.
We first wanted to make a film by using special effects to tell
people what and how the riot took place in Gujarat and going by the
FIR’s lodged by the victims and role played by BJP leaders,
Police, VHP-Bajrang Dal, etc. we have footage of 18 hrs. with us
which is very shocking and brings out real truth.
After long deliberation among ourselves, we first thought of making
small film with sole intention to bring sufferings, sorrows and
anguish of victims, survivors and futility of the violence. We made
a very soft, subtle, vegetable film and not mentioned the name of
the survivors and shunned the images of dead bodies, rape victims,
etc. The intention was to promote peace and communal harmony in the
society.
We started post production in October 2002 and completed it in
December 2002, the news about the film spread and so we started
getting invitation from various Indian & International Film
Festivals and one which was organized by Film Division & Surabhi
Foundation plus there was a demand from NGO’s, citizen groups,
social organizations, youth organizations, peace activists asking
for the cassette of the film.
We made application to Board of Film Certification, Mumbai on
26-02-03 and we received intimation from the Board on 04/03/2003
stating that our film Aakrosh has been refused the Censor
Certificate on grounds, “The Film depicts violence and reminds the
people about Gujarat riots last year. It shows the Govt. and Police
in bad light, etc.” and banned it.
This decision of Board was protested by various social, media
personalities and organization throughout the world, even BBC, CNN
took note of it.
We have appealed to Revising Committee of Central Board of Film
Certification on 5th March 2003 and made strong plea to Board to
clear the film. We received the decision of the Revising Committee
through their letter dated 31/03/03 denying the certificate and
banning the film. The reasons given by the Revising
Committee are, “The Film which deals with the aftermath of the one
year old riots in Gujarat is not a balanced film. It not only flares
up the scars of the riots but also shows the agony of one particular
community, which may lead to communal disturbance. Hence the Board
has decided to Refuse a certificate to
the film.”
In view of this decision, we will be approaching High Court to clear
the Film and will be requesting peace and secular activists and
forum to protest the decision. We have also decided to make a film
on Gujarat again to bring out the shocking facts of how people were
butchered and suffered and who designed
and executed it.
People’s Media Initiative is engaged in television programmes
activities since last 6 years. We did film on Kutch Earthquake,
Silicosis deaths, water pollution, Lok Adalat for TARA T.V., Vyatha
for Doordarshan on superstition plus we keep filing stories of human
rights issues and abuses with various television channels from time
to time.
Press
Note By:
Ramesh Pimple
Geeta Chawda
Producer & Director of the Film
Tel: 022 – 26358302
Mobile: 9821109295
Censor Board Mumbai Nos: 23694343/ 23690344
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