The documentary film 'Prisoner No. 626710 is Present,' dedicated to Umar Khalid, has once again become the subject of controversy. This time, the conflict unfolded at IIIT-Hyderabad, where a group of students had planned to screen the film on Friday evening at 8:00 PM. However, before the session began, the CBFC intervened, questioning the screening itself.
The CBFC published a statement on the social media platform X, stating that a public screening of a documentary film without a council certificate could violate the Cinematograph Act rules unless a special exemption was obtained under the law. The CBFC contacted IIIT-Hyderabad, urging them to pay attention to the necessary procedures.
The film, directed by Lalit Wachani, focuses on the story of Umar Khalid's arrest and imprisonment. Khalid was detained in September 2020 in connection with an alleged major conspiracy related to unrest in northeastern Delhi. He faces charges under several sections, including UAPA, and has been in custody since his arrest.
Following the CBFC's objection, the students canceled the scheduled screening. According to reports, the director of IIIT-Hyderabad informed the students that such screenings in any of the institute's premises—be it classrooms, laboratories, or offices—would not take place without proper permission. Nevertheless, the institute clarified that this event was neither organized nor officially supported by IIIT-Hyderabad, and they distanced themselves from the proposed screening.
Interestingly, similar documentation about Umar Khalid had also caused stir at the National Law School of India (NLSIU) in Bangalore a few days prior. There, the screening was scheduled for September 14th, but the Committee on Law and Society postponed it, citing logistical and security concerns. The committee emphasized that the event was not canceled but would be held in the current trimester after necessary measures were taken. On the other hand, the organization ABVP opposed the screening and demanded its permanent cancellation, arguing that the campus should not become a venue for such political events. The organization also called for administrative intervention from the university to cancel the screening.
After the CBFC's objection at IIIT-Hyderabad and the postponement at NLSIU, the situation transcended merely the screening of one documentary film. An active discussion began regarding film screenings on campuses, the system of censorship approval, freedom of expression, and the rules of educational institutions. At present, it is evident that regardless of the venue, the screening of 'Prisoner No. 626710 is Present' is accompanied by disputes even before the session begins: in Hyderabad, the screening was canceled due to CBFC objections, while in Bangalore, it was preliminarily postponed.
