Hyderabad: Students held for screening movie

Hyderabad: Six students pursuing sociology at the Hyderabad Central University were detained by the Gachibowli police for reportedly screening a documentary  ‘Ram ke naam’ (In the name of Ram), based on the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

The cops confiscated a laptop, besides pulling down the documentary screen organised on the campus, on Tuesday. Students from various departments  came out in protest as they claimed that the screening was part of their academic curriculum and demanded the release of their six colleagues.  

The All India Students Association (AISA) issued a statement, saying, “We had scheduled a screening of the movie, Ram ke naam, on August 20 in the new seminar hall, SSB building. The permission was denied due to an apparent miscommunication between the dean and his office. Their decision to deny permission was communicated to us, just half-an-hour before the scheduled time. Hence, a student in his individual capacity, sought permission from one of the departments to arrange a screening in a classroom.”

The student said before the screening could begin, cops from a local station intervened and asked them to cancel the screening. “We (students) agreed to cancel the programme, but despite this, a laptop was confiscated and six students, namely, Nikhil, Sonal, Vikas Kumar, Vikas Raj, Babajan and Arif were taken along,” the statement said. An eyewitness said that a scuffle took place between the students and police following the detention. The students protested at the campus gate till late hours on Tuesday. Two professors from the University reportedly approached the Gachibowli police authorities to get the students released.

When questioned, Mr R. Srinivas, inspector, Gachi-bowli police station, denied that the police had detained or arrested any students. “No student has been taken into custody,” he said. There were, however, pictures of students being taken in a TS police vehicle over the social media. Meanwhile, the police bandobust continued inside the campus. The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, reportedly captures events that led to communal riots post demolition of Babri Masjid.