Cops confiscate Tibetan flag at theatre showing 'Rockstar'

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Even as the censorship of the ‘Free Tibet’ flag in the controversial Ranbir-Kapoor starrer Rockstar has triggered debate about freedom of expression and India’s political stance vis-a-vis China, Tibetan students here were in for a shock when policemen confiscated their national flag while watching the movie.

The 10 Tibetan students had gone to watch the morning show at a multiplex on Saturday, and had draped the Tibetan national flag around themselves. Some also had the flag pinned to their T-shirts.

“We noticed at least 20 policemen, some of them in plainclothes, walking around the mall. They were evidently waiting for us. After the film started, we draped ourselves in the flag, as a silent sign of celebration. Immediately, a cops called us outside the theatre and asked us to hand over the flags,” explained Tenzin Dalha, representative, Tibetan Students Association of Madras.

“With or without censorship, the movie features the Tibetan flag prominently. We only took the flag along as a mark of celebration for the cause, it was not a protest. We did not make any noise, neither we waved them and disturb anyone,” said student Tenzin Phuntsok, adding that the flags were returned after the film.

“Why would they send 20 policemen to intercept a harmless group of students at a movie theatre,” he quizzed.

“Carrying or wearing their national flag is not an offense. The department didn’t issue any orders for the policemen to be there, or confiscate the flags. It must have been a misunderstanding,” said CoP J.K. Tripathy.