Don’t Wish to Debate: Amartya Sen on CBFC Censoring Docu on Him

Taking out certain words from the discussion with Sen would remove the soul of the documentary, Ghosh said.

A file photo of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. 

(Photo: Reuters)

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has verbally directed filmmaker Suman Ghosh to mute four words, including 'cow', in his documentary on economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, the director said.

Suman Ghosh, the national award-winning director of the documentary, was told by the CBFC that his film would be released with a U/A (parental guidance) certificate only if he complies with their suggested edits, said a report by NDTV.

The Nobel laureate said that it doesn’t look good on his part to comment on the film.

What can I say about this? This film is not made by me. I am the subject of the film and the subject should not be talking about these things. The director Suman Ghosh would say whatever needs to be said... Do not want to start a discussion on this. If the government has any disapproval about the film made on me, it has to be discussed with the concerned stakeholders.

Also Read: How a Tiny Insignificant CBFC Is Choking India’s Young Filmmakers

While the film has earlier been screened in New York, London and Kolkata, scepticism surrounds the film’s future screenings under the current circumstances.

Despite his film being stalled, Ghosh can release it online. He was quoted by NDTV as saying:

Now the big advantage is that I can release it online, the board has no control over that.

Suman Ghosh, director of the documentary “The Argumentative Indian”, said:

After sitting for three hours at the Censor Board office in Kolkata, during which my documentary was screened and the members scrutinised every single shot, I was verbally told last night to mute four words: ‘Gujarat’, ‘Cow’, ‘Hindutva view of India’ and ‘Hindu India’ for getting U/A certificate.

"I am waiting for their written communicaton and whether they will send the film to review committee in Mumbai. In any situation my response will be the same," he said. "These days films get online certification. So I hope the issue gets resolved quickly. But no question of taking out some words," he added.

When contacted, a member of the CBFC said, “Nothing to comment to the media on what the director said.”

Filmmakers Appalled at Censorship

National Award winning film director Goutam Ghose and other eminent persons were aghast that the censorship now extends to somebody like Sen, recipient of India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.

Ghose, part of a panel led by veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal that submitted its report on revamping the censor board, stressed on the urgency for quick implementation of recommendations.

I am totally against censorship. We submitted our report where we mentioned there would be no scissor, only gradation. I hope the ministry takes quick action.

Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, who was present at the screening of the documentary here on Monday, termed the CBFC's move as an "extent of fascism on the society" and "utter foolishness".

It is not grief, it’s anger. What else can you expect from those who are dictating what food to eat.

Jnanpith awardee poet Sankha Ghosh said: "This is a shameful example of the extent to which their audacity has gone."

Sahitya Akademi winner Nabanita Deb Sen, also the first wife of the famed economist, said by censoring these words the Centre is trying to censor the freedom of speech of Amartya Sen.

BJP in West Bengal Backs CBFC Decision

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh backed the CBFC decision.

Censor board has the right to decide which film to censor and which to pass. I do not think any film should be passed just because someone special has appeared in it.

Mamata Banerjee Reacts to CBFC’s Demands

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, reacted sharply to the CBFC’s demands to "mute" four words and phrases, in Ghosh’s documentary. She took to Twitter to condemn CBFC’s move:

Banerjee further added:

CPI-M Chief Calls Move “Preposterous”

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury dubbed the CBFC move as "preposterous".

"On what basis can a documentary on an Indian Nobel Prize winner be stopped just because it mentions cow or Hindutva?," he asked.

The documentary has been made over a span of 15 years from 2002 and is structured as a conversation between Amartya Sen and his student, economist Kaushik Basu. In the documentary, Sen speaks of social choice theory, development economics, philosophy and the rise of right-wing nationalism across the world, including in India.

(With inputs from NDTV and PTI)

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