New Delhi: Despite a directive from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration warning against screening a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students went ahead with the viewing. The administration, in an advisory issued on Monday, had cautioned that the screening could “disrupt communal harmony” on campus and warned of strict consequences for any violation.
The screening, organised by the Left-aligned All India Students’ Federation (AISF), was initially planned to be shown on a projector. However, according to the organisers, security personnel allegedly damaged the projector. In response, the students resorted to screening the documentary on a laptop at Ganga Dhaba, a popular campus spot, where a large group gathered to watch under the watchful eye of security personnel, said a PTI report.
AISF leaders accused the university administration and security staff of suppressing dissent and curbing freedom of expression.
“Security personnel manhandled students, including JNUSU Joint Secretary Sajid, and damaged the projector,” alleged an AISF representative. “Despite this, students stood firm, watching the documentary in defiance. They refused to surrender their rights to freedom of speech and protest.”
In a statement, JNUSU condemned the administration’s advisory, labelling it an attack on fundamental rights.
“It is deeply hypocritical that the administration suppresses screenings critical of the government while allowing films promoting the RSS-BJP agenda to screen without objection,” the statement read.
The union further cited examples of movies such as The Kerala Story, The Kashmir Files, Jahangir National University, and The Sabarmati Report, which they claimed were permitted on campus despite promoting divisive and fascist ideologies.
