The Symbiosis University in Pune has decided to cancel the screening of the controversial documentary on Kashmir, Jashn-e-Azadi, made by Sanjay Kak after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad raised objections saying that the film showcases “anti-India” views.
The university was to screen the film in its three-day national level seminar called “Voices of Kashmir” starting from February 3.
“The film is against the Indian Army. The Censor Board has not cleared the film and hence we asked the university not to screen it. The objection is not raised against any particular person, but rather the content that will be showcased in the seminar. Any seminar that propagates anti-national views in the name of a cultural event will be protested against,” said Shailendra Dalvi, Secretary of ABVP, Pune unit.
Teachers and students from Kashmir will attend the seminar, and guests including Mr Kak and Kashmir interlocutor Dilip Padgaonkar will deliver a talk. The ABVP said that the seminar will be monitored and any anti-nation speeches will be protested. “We have asked the organisers to give us detailed outline of the seminar. We also appeal to the speakers not to speak on anti-national issues,” said Mr Dalvi. The organisers stated that the seminar is an exchange programme between the students of Kashmir that was organised for academic interest and socio-cultural issues.
“The seminar is to understand the culture, the food, the music of Kashmiris and there will be nothing political. We cancelled the screening of the film after the objection was raised and categorically informed Mr Kak not to speak on controversial topics,” said Hrishikesh Soman, principal of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, adding, “The seminar is organised to exchange views on culture and education with the Kashmiri students. We will ourselves not allow anything that can be deemed as anti-national,” he said.