In New Delhi, following Jawaharlal Nehru University’s drastic action of cutting off power and electricity to prevent the screening of the contentious BBC series on PM Narendra Modi, students from two other prominent universities in the capital – Delhi University and Ambedkar University – have encountered similar responses from their respective administrations and law enforcement. Large assemblies have been prohibited outside DU’s Arts Faculty, where a screening was scheduled, while authorities have interrupted power supply at Ambedkar University to halt another planned screening. At both universities, groups of students voiced slogans and protested, resulting in several detentions by the police.
Throughout the day, additional students convened at Delhi University’s Arts faculty to express their opposition to the implementation of Section 144 in the vicinity aimed at halting the screening. As evening approached, a substantial crowd engaged in confrontations with both university security personnel and the police. They chanted “go back Delhi Police” and leveled accusations of police misconduct towards demonstrators. 24 students were detained earlier for trying to screen the documentary in DU, a senior police official confirmed.
Similar to the situation in JNU, students at this location also opted to view the documentary on their smartphones and laptops after receiving a QR code containing a link to the content. Nevertheless, additional students arrived later, affirming their intention to conduct a public screening. According to sources within the Delhi University administrations, no large-scale or public screenings will be permitted on campus. However, it was mentioned that students are free to watch it on their personal devices if they choose to do so.
According to police sources, the universities have not authorized such screenings, and Delhi Police have been informed accordingly. Earlier discussions were conducted in an attempt to convince students to reconsider their decision to screen the documentary independently, sources revealed. They added that extensive police presence will be deployed for security purposes, and measures will be taken if students assemble for the screening. Rajni Abbi, the Proctor of Delhi University, stated that she has communicated with Delhi Police regarding the issue, and appropriate action will be taken.
“We cannot allow the screening of the BBC documentary, as no permission was sought from the administration,” she told news agency PTI.
In the meantime, Jamia Millia Islamia has decided to suspend classes on Friday following requests from both students and faculty members. This decision comes just a day after Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar announced that the university had successfully prevented some students from organizing a screening event. On Wednesday, 13 students from the university were detained after causing disturbances related to the planned screening within the campus premises. According to Delhi Police, the university administration did not grant permission for the screening.
The BBC documentary series titled “India: The Modi Question,” which has sparked a political uproar in India, was prohibited by the government through emergency orders under Section 16 of the IT Rules, 2021.
The directive was issued to social media intermediaries to block the content, but it did not extend to individuals. Therefore, individuals cannot face legal penalties for screening the documentary.
Earlier this week, student groups at Hyderabad Central University (HCU) – including the Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) and the Fraternity group of the Muslim Student Federation – arranged a screening of the documentary within the campus on Monday. Over 50 students from these groups participated in the screening. Additionally, the documentary was screened again on Thursday within the campus, this time by the left-leaning student group SFI.
Left-leaning student organizations in West Bengal have also scheduled screenings of the documentary on the campuses of at least two universities in Kolkata.
The Student Federation of India (SFI) successfully screened the documentary at Jadavpur University on Thursday, without any police interference, as confirmed by Subhajit Sarkar, the assistant secretary of the state organization. They plan to screen it at Presidency University on Friday. Additionally, the All India Students’ Association (AISA), another Left-wing body, has announced its intention to screen the documentary at Jadavpur University on the same day.
In Kerala, the Congress unit conducted a screening of the documentary in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Meanwhile, the student and youth wings of the ruling CPI(M) have planned screenings across the state. The Congress student wing NSUI also organized a screening in Chandigarh.
The United States has criticized the ban as a violation of press freedom. The US State Department emphasized the importance of democratic principles like freedom of expression, both globally and in India.
Recently, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, stating that he disagrees with the portrayal of his Indian counterpart.
In response to the BBC series, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticized it as completely biased, questioning the intentions and agenda behind its production.
