Ambedkar University students claim power cut during BBC documentary screening

Several students claimed that the police were inside the campus and asking security guards to carry out 'checking' of students

After various universities across the country defied orders to screen the BBC documentary on PM Modi, two outfits — the Bhim Army Student Federation and the National Students Union of India — announced that they will organise a screening of the documentary at the North Campus. Student unions at Madras University as well as Ambedkar University Delhi also announced screenings.

In Delhi University, ahead of the screening, Section 144 was imposed banning large gatherings at the Faculty of Arts on Friday, and some students were detained. DU proctor

“We have received information that NSUI is planning to screen this documentary at the Arts faculty... No permission has been sought for it. We will not allow such behaviour,” the varsity’s proctor Rajni Abbi said, adding that the university has written to the Delhi Police. Abbi said that the film had been banned by the government.

At nearby Ambedkar University Delhi, after members of the Left-affiliated Students Federation of India announced plans to screen the documentary, Delhi Police entered the campus to stop the screening. Students also alleged that the electricity supply was cut in the campus premises after which the students watched it on phones and laptops.

Students of the All India Students' Association tweeted about the police entering the campus. “Students of AUD wish to express solidarity against the ABVP violence and police repression unleashed on the students of JNU and Jamia respectively. Why should the Police have any presence inside the campus,” AISA Delhi tweeted.

In reply, DCP (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said the police were going to campuses to avoid untoward instances. “We are visiting various colleges and universities to ensure that there is no disruption of peace and tranquillity in the area. The situation at Ambedkar University is peaceful and under control. Police are on the spot,” he said.

At the Madras University campus, too, students planned the screening of the documentary but were denied permission. A day earlier, Chennai Corporation councillor A Priyadarshini was detained for attempting to watch the documentary on her smartphone.

This week, the administration at JNU cut the power supply as well as access to the internet at the Jawaharlal Nehru University to stop a planned screening of the varsity’s students union. Screenings were held at West Bengal’s Jadavpur University, Hyderabad University and campuses in Kerala.

The viewing of the two-part documentary, which questions the role of Narendra Modi during the 2002 Godhra Riots when he was the chief minister of Gujarat, has been banned by the government.