The Association of the Emergency Victims has condemned the denial of censor certification by CBFC to Yadu Vijayakrishnan’s documentary on the Emergency, 21 Months of Hell, citing too much violence. In a strongly worded statement, the victims said the CBFC move was ridiculous. “It is even more ridiculous to ask for proof of the torture methods used by police during the Emergency,” the statement said.
The Association of the Emergency Victims has condemned the denial of censor certification by CBFC to Yadu Vijayakrishnan’s documentary on the Emergency, 21 Months of Hell, citing too much violence. In a strongly worded statement, the victims said the CBFC move was ridiculous. “It is even more ridiculous to ask for proof of the torture methods used by police during the Emergency,” the statement said.
According to the statement, soon after the Emergency, a three-member panel under O.Rajagopal toured every district and collected information on police excesses. The then Janata Party president K.Chandrasekharan had submitted the report to the then Chief Minister AK Antony. It cites even more cruel torture methods adopted by the Kerala police.
Moreover, the Association had interviewed and videographed the real experiences of around 1,000 victims of the Emergency still licking the wounds of torture inflicted on them. The Association has brought out a trailer of their revelations. What Yadu Vijaykrishnan depicted was only the tip of the iceberg of the Emergency excesses, the association said.
“The Emergency was in force for 21 months from June 25, 1975. No doubt, it was real hell. For these hapless fighters the torture and pain has never ceased and have been experiencing the trauma of the Emergency for the last 42 years. When there are thousands of living victims asking for written government proof of the torture amounts to insulting the great sacrifices these valiant fighters made to restore human rights and freedom,” the statement said.
What a hue and cry was made when documentaries based on Rohit Vemula – The Unbearable Being of Lightness, on JNU protests – March, March, March and Kashmiri young artists – In The Shade of Fallen Chinar denied permission for International Documentary and Short Film Festival at Tvm from June 16. One CPM youth leader offered protection to screen Padmavathi. It is unfortunate that these crop of the votaries of the “freedom of expression’’ who selectively voice their concern is nowhere seen.
The reason for this silence is obvious. The Congress-led United Democratic Front at the helm during the Emergency perpetrated the excesses using police. Communist Party of India leader C.Achutha Menon was the Chief Minister then and Indira Gandhi’s protégé K.Karunakaran was the Home Minister. Though in the initial stages of the Emergency, some of the leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were held under MISA and DIR, the party refused to cooperate with the Lok Sangharsha Samiti who led the anti-Emergency movement nationwide.
Now that the real story of the valiant fighters who faced death and tyranny comes to the fore, the Left fears, it would be exposed. Hence want to suppress truth.
According to the association, it had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking medical benefits to the victims and recognition of the anti-Emergency stir as Second Freedom Struggle. The state government informed the association that the government has no plans to help the Emergency victims. Irony is that pension is extended to Communist uprisings like Punnapra Vayalar, Kavumbai, Morazha, etc., and controversial movements like Moppila riots and Khilafat movement.
According to the statement, soon after the Emergency, a three-member panel under O.Rajagopal toured every district and collected information on police excesses. The then Janata Party president K.Chandrasekharan had submitted the report to the then Chief Minister AK Antony. It cites even more cruel torture methods adopted by the Kerala police.
Moreover, the Association had interviewed and videographed the real experiences of around 1,000 victims of the Emergency still licking the wounds of torture inflicted on them. The Association has brought out a trailer of their revelations. What Yadu Vijaykrishnan depicted was only the tip of the iceberg of the Emergency excesses, the association said.
“The Emergency was in force for 21 months from June 25, 1975. No doubt, it was real hell. For these hapless fighters the torture and pain has never ceased and have been experiencing the trauma of the Emergency for the last 42 years. When there are thousands of living victims asking for written government proof of the torture amounts to insulting the great sacrifices these valiant fighters made to restore human rights and freedom,” the statement said.
What a hue and cry was made when documentaries based on Rohit Vemula – The Unbearable Being of Lightness, on JNU protests – March, March, March and Kashmiri young artists – In The Shade of Fallen Chinar denied permission for International Documentary and Short Film Festival at Tvm from June 16. One CPM youth leader offered protection to screen Padmavathi. It is unfortunate that these crop of the votaries of the “freedom of expression’’ who selectively voice their concern is nowhere seen.
The reason for this silence is obvious. The Congress-led United Democratic Front at the helm during the Emergency perpetrated the excesses using police. Communist Party of India leader C.Achutha Menon was the Chief Minister then and Indira Gandhi’s protégé K.Karunakaran was the Home Minister. Though in the initial stages of the Emergency, some of the leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were held under MISA and DIR, the party refused to cooperate with the Lok Sangharsha Samiti who led the anti-Emergency movement nationwide.
Now that the real story of the valiant fighters who faced death and tyranny comes to the fore, the Left fears, it would be exposed. Hence want to suppress truth.
According to the association, it had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking medical benefits to the victims and recognition of the anti-Emergency stir as Second Freedom Struggle. The state government informed the association that the government has no plans to help the Emergency victims. Irony is that pension is extended to Communist uprisings like Punnapra Vayalar, Kavumbai, Morazha, etc., and controversial movements like Moppila riots and Khilafat movement.
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