Once again, Prakash Jha's had his DU plans thwarted.
The director had plans to hold a discourse withDelhi University students at Hindu College, on commercialisation of higher education and reservation in academic institutions, with the team of "Aarakshan", Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan,Deepika Padukone and Prateik. But three days before the scheduled event at Hindu, Delhi Police denied permission to the filmmaker for the second time in two years, citing security issues.
Last year, Jha was denied permission to come to the Shri Ram College of Commerce with the team of "Raajneeti" to talk to the students about politics. When DT spoke to Jha on Wednesday morning, he was busy trying to figure out an alternative plan, but told us, "It's the umpteenth time that they have not given permission to us. They say 'sensitive subject hai, mushkil hoga'. It's completely their prerogative. What can we say here? Kitni baar yehi ho chuka hai. Mujhe toh samajh mein nahi aata kyun. The college authorities had given us permission and were very helpful, but the police have said no once again. Last year too, SRCC had given us permission. But this time, the police said security and subject, dono sensitive hain."
But his team is already looking at alternative locations. "We don't want to cancel our plans. The topic is relevant for students and we need to hear their views too. We are already looking for an alternative location. It could be another academic institution or some other open venue in Delhi," Jha said. But the Delhi Police has been quick to justify its decision citing security concerns due to August 15. A senior official told us, "Security is an issue at this time and we don't want a large crowd to collect in DU because that becomes unmanageable. His topic of debate is on a sensitive topic, and we don't want any issues."
Hindu College vice principal Pradyumn Kumar too, expressed his disappointment. "We were informed by their team that Delhi Police has denied them the NoC. We'd given them permission subject to a nod from Delhi Police. We and the students are certainly very disappointed. We were prepared to extend all kinds of help to them, but the police couldn't give them as much security, it seems."
(With inputs from Suruchi Sharma)
The director had plans to hold a discourse withDelhi University students at Hindu College, on commercialisation of higher education and reservation in academic institutions, with the team of "Aarakshan", Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan,Deepika Padukone and Prateik. But three days before the scheduled event at Hindu, Delhi Police denied permission to the filmmaker for the second time in two years, citing security issues.
Last year, Jha was denied permission to come to the Shri Ram College of Commerce with the team of "Raajneeti" to talk to the students about politics. When DT spoke to Jha on Wednesday morning, he was busy trying to figure out an alternative plan, but told us, "It's the umpteenth time that they have not given permission to us. They say 'sensitive subject hai, mushkil hoga'. It's completely their prerogative. What can we say here? Kitni baar yehi ho chuka hai. Mujhe toh samajh mein nahi aata kyun. The college authorities had given us permission and were very helpful, but the police have said no once again. Last year too, SRCC had given us permission. But this time, the police said security and subject, dono sensitive hain."
But his team is already looking at alternative locations. "We don't want to cancel our plans. The topic is relevant for students and we need to hear their views too. We are already looking for an alternative location. It could be another academic institution or some other open venue in Delhi," Jha said. But the Delhi Police has been quick to justify its decision citing security concerns due to August 15. A senior official told us, "Security is an issue at this time and we don't want a large crowd to collect in DU because that becomes unmanageable. His topic of debate is on a sensitive topic, and we don't want any issues."
Hindu College vice principal Pradyumn Kumar too, expressed his disappointment. "We were informed by their team that Delhi Police has denied them the NoC. We'd given them permission subject to a nod from Delhi Police. We and the students are certainly very disappointed. We were prepared to extend all kinds of help to them, but the police couldn't give them as much security, it seems."
(With inputs from Suruchi Sharma)
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