As precautionary measure authorities have snapped power and internet inside the JNU campus to stall the screening of the film. Yet, the left-leaning students of JNUSU persisted with their plan
The stage is set for high-voltage drama in Jawaharlal Nehru University over the screening-banned BBC documentary film on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Going against the administration’s strict warning to stop the scheduled screening of the documentary on Tuesday at 9 pm on the university campus, JNUSU students watched BBC’s “The Modi Question” on their laptops using a QR code.
Speaking to The New Indian, JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh said, “We knew the administration would create hurdles for us. So we came prepared. We had downloaded the movie anyway. We are using QR code to share the link.”
After power cut in #JNU campus ahead of the scheduled screening of 'controversial' #BBCDocumentary by left-wing students, JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh exhorts students to watch the documentary on their mobile phones by sharing QR Code.
Reports @AlokReporter pic.twitter.com/FCx8Vjr3H0
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 24, 2023
As precautionary measure authorities snapped power and internet inside the JNU campus to stall the screening of the film. Yet, the left-leaning students of JNUSU persisted with their plan. Post mid-night electricity was restored.
Electricity restored in #JNU campus. But JNU students marched from campus to #VasantKunj police station and demanded an #FIR and action against stone thrower, reports @AlokReporter @TheNewIndian_in #NEWS #NewsUpdate #NewsUpdates #JNUSU #JNUCampus pic.twitter.com/3sibZfGMxG
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 24, 2023
incidents of stone-pelting reported.
Separate batches of students who were watching the documentary on their laptops in the campus, were attacked with stones by miscreants on the campus. Students marched from campus to Vasant Kunj police station and demanded that an FIR be filed against the stone pelter.
At least 50 police personnel in civil dress along with the JNU security guards have been deployed to stop the screening. However, hundreds of left-wing and other students gathered at Student Community Centre to watch the movie.
Earlier, ABVP said that they supported the JNU administration’s advisory of banning movie screenings on campus.
“Supporting a British-constructed narrative is coherent with the colonial mindset of British sepoys. Many in the opposition, as well as so-called student organizations, are indeed British stooges, spreading a propaganda-driven BBC documentary in Indian educational institutions,” said ABVP member Rohit Kumar.
“We could have watched the documentary in our rooms also but this was a way to tell the BJP and the RSS that if they try to stop us from doing something, we will defy them. Let the students watch the movie and decide for ourselves,” said Aishe Ghosh while talking to The New Indian.
. @TheNewIndian_in @AlokReporter catches up with JNSU president @aishe_ghosh.
Ghose cites individual choice, as she wants students to watch controversial #BBC documentary demeaning PM of India.
📹: @Tonmoy7sisters #NEWS #BBCDocumentary #JNUWATCH: https://t.co/NhqfsO5CkB pic.twitter.com/tAV8QiKuXC
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 24, 2023
Earlier today, the JNU administration released an advisory barring the screening of the film. “It has come to the notice of the administration that a group of students has in the name of JNUSU released a pamphlet for screening a documentary/movie “India: The Modi Question” scheduled for 24th January 2023 at 9:00 p.m. in Teflas. No prior permission for this event has been taken from the JNU Administration. This is to emphasize that such an unauthorized activity may disturb the peace and harmony of the University Campus,” said the statement.