More filmmakers joined the protest against intolerance as 25 eminent personalities on Thursday returned their awards to the government opposing the suppression of freedom of speech and the way Gajendra Chauhan was appointed chairman of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
Others who returned the award include: Virendra Saini, Arundhati Roy, Ranjan Palit, Tapan Bose, Shriprakash, Sanjay Kak, Pradip Krishen, Tarun Bhartiya, Amitabh Chakraborty, Madhusree Dutta, Anwar Jamal, Ajay Raina, Irene Dhar Malik, P M Satheesh, Satya Rai Nagpaul, Manoj Lobo, Rafeeq Ellias, Sudheer Palsane, Vivek Sachidanand, Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, Dr Manoj Nitharwal and Abhimanyu Dange.
Filmmakers Saeed Mirza — known for films like “Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!” (1984), “Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai” (1980) and “Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro” (1989) — and Kundan Shah, known for his comedy classic “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” (1983). Mirza-Shah duo has also directed hit TV serial “Nukkad”.
Noted filmmaker from Meghalaya Tarun Bhartiya on Thursday returned the National Award he received.
In a letter addressed to President Pranab Mukherjee, Bhartiya said: “The unease has grown and (when) truly greats like the 90-year-old Krishna Sobti, are returning their awards, it gives me a feeling that I don’t need to keep mine either.”
As many as 12 alumni of FTII who has received awards also decided to return it to the government.
Last week, 12 filmmakers and 3 FTII students had returned the awards. With Wednesday’s development, a total of 36 film personalities and 15 students or alumni returning their awards.
“If we do not speak out, it would be a crime,” Mirza said. On the other hand, Shah pointed out: “We are talking of intolerance, it is actually torture….we are returning the award at a personal level and that of the level of social consciousness.”
On being asked why filmmakers were joining historians, writers, thinkers and scientists in returning awards, Mirza said: “It is our decision, but I would like to ask you all…whether what is happening in the country is good.”
The filmmakers, in a letter addressed to President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. said: “In the last few days, we have seen the police charge the students who have been peacefully protesting against the new policies at the UGC. These new policies will thwart the ambitions of students from pursuing research in the arts and the sciences. The intellectual integrity of so many academic institutions is being eroded. The threat to the academic culture at FTII and elsewhere, is what has brought us together here.”
They further said it is disappointing how the ruling party’s leaders and supporters abused the filmmakers and belittled the gesture of returning the awards.
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