IIIT-Hyderabad Students Cancel Umar Khalid Documentary Screening After CBFC Objection

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has flagged a proposed screening of a documentary on jailed activist Umar Khalid at IIIT-Hyderabad. The CBFC stated that publicly screening an uncertified film would violate the Cinematograph Act unless a specific exemption had been obtained under the Act.

The documentary, “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present”, is directed by filmmaker Lalit Vachani. A group of students had planned to screen it at the institute’s KRB Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Friday. Following the CBFC’s objection, the students decided to cancel the screening, according to reports.

CBFC Flags Uncertified Documentary Screening 

The CBFC stated on X that 

“Public screening of a documentary film that has not yet been certified by the CBFC is a violation of the Cinematograph Act unless a specific exemption has been sought under the Act.” 

It also tagged IIIT-Hyderabad and said that the institute’s authorities “may take note for necessary action”.

IIIT-Hyderabad, however, distanced itself from the proposed screening. The institute said neither it nor any of its recognised student organisations had organised or hosted a screening of an uncertified film. It said any unauthorised or unrelated activity should not be attributed to the institute or its recognised student bodies.

Screening Linked To Political Prisoners’ Day

The screening was scheduled in connection with “Political Prisoners’ Day”, according to the invitation. It also referred to the death anniversary of Jatindra Nath Das, a comrade of Bhagat Singh who died in Lahore jail in 1929 after a prolonged hunger strike.

The development comes days after the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru postponed a scheduled screening of the same documentary. The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had objected to the screening, alleging that allowing it would amount to using the campus for political propaganda.