Amid CBFC concerns, NLSIU drops screening of documentary on activist Umar Khalid
A student told The Hindu that the The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently highlighted that the documentary, Prisoner No: 626710 is Present, by filmmaker Lalit Vachani is not certified.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has decided to cancel the screening of a documentary on activist Umar Khalid due to concerns from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The documentary, "Prisoner No: 626710 is Present," directed by Lalit Vachani, has not been certified by the CBFC, which means its screening would violate the Cinematograph Act unless an exemption is obtained.
The Law and Society Committee (LawSoc) at NLSIU, after discussions with the Student Bar Association, university administration, and faculty members, announced the decision on Friday evening. However, the committee is still organizing a discussion series, called "The Criminal Justice Conversations," which kicked off on Saturday. The series aims to discuss various aspects of political prisoners, criminal justice, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and other relevant laws in the country.
The first discussion, "UAPA: Bail and Beyond," will be held with Radhika Chitkara, focusing on the history, scheme, and impact of anti-terror laws like UAPA on political freedoms. The cancellation of the documentary screening sparked reactions from various groups, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which expressed concerns about the screening potentially promoting narratives that challenge the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation.
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