Kannur University did not block BBC documentary on Gujarat riots, says VC

The screening of the documentary was scheduled at the seminar hall in Mangattuparamba campus of Kannur University. File Photo.

Kannur University vice-chancellor Gopinath Ravindran said the university did not stop student organisations from screening the BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question' on its campus on Tuesday.

News reports of the university cancelling permission to screen the documentary are baseless.

Students Federation of India (SFI), the student organisation of the CPM, screened the documentary at the old admin block 'Portico' on the Mangattuparamba campus.

SFI campus secretary Adarsh P M said the organisation sought permission to screen the documentary at the university's seminar hall. "But the campus director Prof Sebastian George denied permission saying it was not an official function," he said.

The director said if the screening was organised by the Students' Union, he would have given access to the seminar hall. But it was SFI's event. The seminar hall has 300 seats.

The SFI screened the documentary at the 'Portico'. Around 100 students watched 'India: The Modi Question', said Adarsh.

The government of India has allegedly censored the social media promotions of the documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots and taken down links providing access to the film.

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