Hyderabad: Screening a documentary based on demolition of Babri masjid landed six students of Hyderabad Central University behind bars after they were detained by the Gacchibowli Police.
According to sources, the sociology students were arrested after they reportedly screened documentary ‘Ram ke naam’ (In the name of Ram) based on the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, DC reports.
The Gacchibowli cops pulled down the documentary screen besides confiscating the laptop on Tuesday.
Several students from various departments protested against authorities in action in the incident as they claimed that the screening was part of their academic curriculum and demanded the release of their six colleagues.
The All India Students Association (AISA) issued a statement, saying, “We had scheduled a screening of the movie, Ram ke naam, on August 20 in the new seminar hall, SSB building. The permission was denied due to an apparent miscommunication between the dean and his office. Their decision to deny permission was communicated to us, just half-an-hour before the scheduled time. Hence, a student in his individual capacity, sought permission from one of the departments to arrange a screening in a classroom.”
Local cops intervened and asked to cancel the screening said the student. “We (students) agreed to cancel the programme, but despite this, a laptop was confiscated and six students, namely, Nikhil, Sonal, Vikas Kumar, Vikas Raj, Babajan and Arif were taken along,” the statement said.
According to an eyewitness, a scuffle between the students and police later ended in their detention.
After the huge protest by the students at the campus gate till late hours on Tuesday, two university professors approached the Gachibowli police authorities to get the students released.
When questioned, Mr R. Srinivas, inspector, Gachi-bowli police station, denied that the police had detained or arrested any students. “No student has been taken into custody,” he said.
However, pictures of arrested students being taken in a TS police vehicle were circulated on social media.
The Ram ke naam documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, reportedly captures events that led to communal riots post demolition of Babri Masjid.