Latest News Update: Aug 12, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Bollywood "untouchables" film sparks controversy

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/us-bollywood-untouchables-idINTRE77A37120110811

Bollywood "untouchables" film sparks controversy

By Annie Banerji

NEW DELHI | Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:35pm IST

(Reuters Life!) - An Indian film over caste discrimination against
"untouchables" has been mired in controversy with protests from caste
groups forcing the producers to cut parts of the film, highlighting
deep-seated social tensions in the rising economic power.

"Aarakshan," which means reservation, explores quotas for lower castes
in the government and educational institutions, affirmative action
which upper caste, often wealthier Indians see as squeezing them out
of jobs and college places.

The film, starring Bollywood super stars Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali
Khan, centers around an idealistic teacher who believes quotas are
meant to provide opportunities to the weaker sections of society to
help them succeed on their own merits.

But many caste groups complained the film portrayed them in a negative
light because of certain scenes in which characters say untouchables,
known as "Dalits," are dirty and fit to polish the shoes of their
social betters.

Behind India's modernization and growing cosmopolitanism, driven by
accelerating economic growth, caste is a constant presence, playing
roles as diverse as determining governments to denying access to
common facilities like water and schools.

"While the overall theme of the film is not objectionable, it is
loaded with anti-Dalit and anti-reservation dialogues," P.L. Punia,
the chairman of the national commission for scheduled castes and
scheduled tribes told local media.

"Aarakshan has failed. It is likely to create communal tension," he added.

After threats of protests in Mumbai and the ban of the film in two
states, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the director Prakash Jha agreed to
alter the film for its release on August 12.

Police have arrested protesters in the past few days, according to
local newspapers, while both of the film's main actors have beefed up
their personal security.

"Reservation is a sensitive issue but we have kept that in mind.
Political reasons could be behind the ban on the film. I will make
appropriate cuts in the film as per suggestions," Jha, who is known
for his controversial films on themes such as corruption and dynastic
politics, told reporters Thursday.

Nearly 65 years of democracy since independence in 1947 have eased
some of the worst forms of caste discrimination in India, outlawed by
the constitution, but even educated, well-off Indian families still
draw the line at inter-caste marriages.

Caste adds force to much of the politics in India, with a rash of
political parties championing the cause of particular groups turning
king-makers in a time of coalition governments. About 160 million
Indians, or 16 percent of the world's second biggest population, are
Dalits, according to a 2001 census.

(Editing by Matthias Williams and Paul Casciato)

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[ZESTCaste] Bollywood film banned in India over fear of unrest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/aug/12/bollywood-film-ban-india

Bollywood film banned in India over fear of unrest

Aarakshan, a Bollywood film about India's controversial quota system
for disadvantaged groups has been banned in three states, for fear
that its discriminatory language may cause protests

Ben Child
guardian.co.uk, Friday 12 August 2011 13.30 BST

Protesters tear down a poster for Aarakshan in Mumbai.
Protesters tear down a poster for Aarakshan in Mumbai. Photograph:
Rajanish Kakade/AP

A controversial Bollywood film which touches on the highly-sensitive
subject of affirmative action for the Dalit community (the caste
formerly known as "untouchables") in the country's education system,
has been banned in three Indian states.

Local authorities in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab,
and Andhra Pradesh in the south fear screenings of Aarakshan
(Reservation) will cause law and order issues among Hindus. The drama,
directed by well-known Indian film-maker Prakash Jha and starring
Bollywoodstar Amitabh Bachchan, has been criticised for using
objectionable terms to describe people from the Dalit community, who
were once denied access to decent job and education prospects.

The film's title refers to the current practice of reserving education
places and government jobs for socially disadvantaged groups, a policy
introduced to help ensure social mobility for India's 166 million
low-caste citizens following centuries of repression.

Jha, who has a history of making films which touch on sensitive social
issues, has denied suggestions that Aarakshan paints a negative image
of Dalits, a self-imposed title which means broken or suppressed.

"In India there are people who benefit from this policy [of quotas]
and there are those who have missed an opportunity because of the
policy," he said last week. "Reservation and the quota system is a
hard-hitting reality. It is almost an India-versus-India situation and
by showing this in my movie, I am trying to bridge the gap."

Writing on his blog, Bachchan said critics were acting out of
ignorance. "Without any knowledge of what the film contains, without
any desire to determine the trust and the most basic principles of law
of democracy, it has merely strengthened my and many others' fear of
the weakness it conveys of our belief in governance and its ethics,"
he wrote.

Posters for the film have been vandalised by protesters, many of whom
have also objected to the casting of Saif Ali Khan, a Muslim
aristocrat, as a Dalit.

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[ZESTCaste] Film producer moves India's Supreme Court against ban on film

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1656552.php/Film-producer-moves-India-s-Supreme-Court-against-ban-on-film

Film producer moves India's Supreme Court against ban on film

Aug 12, 2011, 7:41 GMT

New Delhi - The producer of a controversial film on the theme of
caste-based reservations in educational institutions approached
India's Supreme Court on Friday seeking to get a ban lifted which had
been imposed on the film in three states.

The state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh on
Thursday banned screening of the film on the grounds that it could
trigger violence.

The film has been cleared by India's Censor Board and is scheduled to
open in theatres across the rest of the country on Friday.

Prakash Jha, director and producer of Aarakshan in his petition to the
Supreme Court said the ban went against the spirit of freedom of
expression guaranteed in the Indian Constitution, his lawyer, Ameet
Naik, was quoted as saying by the Times of India newspaper.

At a press briefing in Mumbai Thursday, Jha had said minor changes had
been made in the film after objections were raised.

'There are certain dialogues and scenes that have been edited.
Reservation is not a necessity but a Constitutional truth and we have
been very careful about depicting it in the film,' Jha said.

The Indian government has for decades followed and expanded a policy
of reservation of places in educational institutions and in government
jobs for socially disadvantaged groups.

This has provoked criticism that few places are left for deserving
students and that it perpetuated social divisions.

This issue has, on occasion, led to violent demonstrations both for
and against the system of reservations.

Trade analyst Tarun Adarsh told NDTV news channel that the limited
opening would mean a loss of millions of rupees for the producers of
the film.

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[ZESTCaste] Nothing objectionable in Aarakshan: Ajay Devgn

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20110182018&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=126065

Nothing objectionable in Aarakshan: Ajay Devgn
Press Trust of India
Thursday, August 11, 2011 (Mumbai)

Ajay Devgn, who starred in Prakash Jha's Raajneeti last year, has said
that Jha's new film, Aarakshan, has no objectionable material.

The promos of upcoming film Rascals, starring Ajay, will be released
along with Aarakshan.

There have been demands of a ban on Jha's film, for its alleged
anti-reservation and anti-dalit stance.

"I think there is nothing objectionable in the film. When people will
see it, they would realise that there is nothing controversial," Devgn
said when asked if the prospects of Rascals would be affected as
several theatres across the country may not screen Aarakshan.

Ajay has earlier worked with Jha in Gangaajal and Rajneeti.

Amitabh Bachchan, who is the lead actor of Aarakshan, launched the
promo of Rascals today. Directed by David Dhawan, Rascals stars Devgn,
Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut and Arjun Rampal.

When a question was posed to Dutt as to whether protest against
Aarakshan would affect promotion of Rascals, he refused to reply, and
asked producers Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksi to answer instead.

Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20110182018&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=126065&cp

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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: Dalit settlement catches viral fever outbreak in Siraha

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Dalit+settlement+catches+viral+fever+outbreak+in+Siraha&NewsID=299054

Dalit settlement catches viral fever outbreak in Siraha

Added At: 2011-08-12 8:54 AM

Last Updated At: 2011-08-12 8:54 AM

LAHAN: An outbreak of viral fever has occurred in entire Dalit
locality at Dhodhana VDC-3, Menaharwa of Siraha district for the past
one week.

Among total 26 households of the settlement, at least two to five
members of each family are suffering from fever, common cold and
cough, headache and diarrhea.

A free health camp was jointly organized by Dhodhana VDC, sub-health
post and local disaster management committee in a bid to check the
viral fever outbreak in the settlement, said In-charge of sub-health
post, senior assistant health worker, Bindeswor Chaudhary.

The settlement is located nearby Chure forest, around six kilometers
away to the northern side from Lahan along the East-West highway.

Various medicines worth Rs 8,000 were distributed in the settlement
under children empowerment programme implemented by the VDC, said
Shiva Shankar Saday, a local.

As many as 79 people including 42 children received health check-up
service free of cost in the camp.

Chairman of Dalit Welfare Youth Club, Binod Kumar Bisunke said people
are suffering from viral fever and water-borne diseases as they are
compelled to consume contaminated water of rivulet owing to the lack
of reliable sources of drinking water.

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[ZESTCaste] Prakash Jha: The caste system exists in India!

http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/prakash-jha-the-caste-system-exists-in-india/

August 11th, 2011
Prakash Jha: The caste system exists in India!
By Rachana Parekh
After exposing the ugly side of politics in Raajneeti, Prakash Jha has
made another powerful drama centred on reservation and caste system.
He talks about his new film and the issues it examines

Prakash Jha calls himself the observer and chronicler of current
times. Unlike others, he doesn't believe in frivolous films. His likes
his stories to be hard-hitting and poignant, yet entertaining.

Is Aarakshan a political film?

I don't think the film supports, contradicts or supplements any kind
of ideology. So probably it will not fall into the category of
politics. Education has the same value for every political party or
ideology. You can call it a social and issue based film. It is very
contemporary because it is a story about today. It is about every
child, every family and every aspiration, actually. We are all
concerned about the education of our children and the job that they
get.

The film focusses on certain sensitive issues. So, how did you balance
it to be something between a documentary and an entertainer?

That is a challenge and I have been trying to do that for a long time.
I am always scared of what I am doing in terms of a film and its
acceptance. I always keep myself alert that my narrative should get
communicated, like a nice drama. It should be an engaging story with
characters that the audience will relate to. This is a constant battle
that I have and I keep hoping that these stories will work.
Fortunately, they have so far; let's see now….

Have you tried to provide a solution to reservation and casteism in the film?

If through a wider and keener understanding, some kind of solution can
come, then we have tried to do that. We have tried to assimilate every
kind of feeling. We have tried to understand the equations that work
in a caste driven society. And we have tried to tell a story which is
kind of therapeutic. But we have not tried to preach a solution.

Do you think India can get rid of its casteism?

Eradication of caste from society is a difficult proposal in our
country. Whether it is religion or caste or gender bias, that's also
something of a paramount concern; these are things not easy to
eradicate. What we can do is create a more equitable society. And the
only thing that does that is a kind of economic affluence in every
kind of society. When there is little difference among different sets
of people, then there is more equality. When one part of the society
becomes very prosperous and has everything – like 'Shining India',
where very little of India is really shining – the difference
increases. To remove economic backwardness or backwardness due to
caste or gender, there has to be inclusive growth. Much easier said
than done, but it can only happen that way.

You received threat calls from some people for casting Saif Ali Khan
as a Dalit. Is the issue settled?

I hope that I have convinced them with my stance and they have
understood it. I can't change that Saif Ali Khan is playing a Dalit. I
told them a simple thing – they are imparting the same discrimination
on Saif that they have suffered for so many years.

Saif is an unlikely choice for the role. Why did you cast him?

You know, I have always felt that Saif is very good and underrated
actor. You don't know how much he is capable of. I wasn't
apprehensive, but Saif was. When I approached him to play the Dalit
character, he was quiet for a moment. It is not easy to convincingly
play it, because there is certain way of talking and a
distinctiveness, but Saif worked very hard on it. Except for the
moustache, I did not make any contribution to his performance. He is a
very hardworking, talented and serious actor.

Do you think cinema can transform the way society functions?

Cinema can definitely offer pointers on where we are going wrong or
whatever it is, because it brings to you in a capsule an issue, its
related human aspect and the emotional side of it. You can definitely
have your interpretation. Cinema has the capacity to offer pointers
and to bring about social revolution – it is definitely possible.
After all, somebody has to do it. But that, I think, requires
persistent persuasion like Gandhi or other social reformers who have
done it in the past.

Is there any other burning issue on which you would like to make a film?

It's not that I want a change. If something happens, I am trying to
observe it. Like right now, the issue of corruption has taken people's
imagination. So, definitely one sees what, how and why things are
happening. Why did Baba Ramdev jump the podium? It is very interesting
for me to observe. So maybe, eventually, if equations change, I will
probably come up with a story.

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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: Dr. Bhattarai for Dalit's dignified representation

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=34637

Dr. Bhattarai for Dalit's dignified representation

KATHMANDU, Aug 12: Stressing the need of representation of Dalits in
each state organ in the new constitution, Vice Chairman of Unified CPN
(Maoist) Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the present challenge was to
safeguard the achievements of Jana Andolan.

He said this while releasing a book "Marxism, Dalit and
Bisheshadhikar" written by Constituent Assembly member and Coordinator
of Nepal National Dalit Mukti Morcha (NNDMM) Tilak Pariyar amid a
function organized by Ratna Maya Literature Protection Committee in
the Capital on Friday.

The writer (Pariyar) has taken the people's movement to a height by
adding in the knowledge he gained through practical struggles in the
book, said Dr Bhattarai.

"If the 10-year-old people's war couldn't have addressed the agendas
of Dalits, Jana Andolan would have never met success," he said. "There
is a need to address the problems of the Dalit community who are
treated as the labour class amid racial and social suppression in the
new constitution."

At the function, Secretary of Maoist party CP Gajurel said the role of
Dalit, women and marganalized communities was praiseworthy from the
beginning of the people's war and the Maoist party has been pushing
ahead the agenda of ensuring special rights to Dalits for their
liberalization.

Coordinator of Central Publications Department of NNDMM Padam Sundas
said the writer has closely looked at the Dalit movement in his book
that contains 16 articles and four interviews.

Published on 2011-08-12 13:07:44

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[ZESTCaste] Prakash Jha blinks, ready to make cuts in Aarakshan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/punjab-govt-bans-aarakshan-forms-panel-to-clear-film/1/147742.html

Prakash Jha blinks, ready to make cuts in Aarakshan

Headlines Today Bureau | New Delhi, August 11, 2011 | Updated 11:14 IST
The makers of Aarakshan have agreed to minor changes in the movie to
satify demands of pro-Dalit groups. This was decided after director
Prakash Jha met Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athavale
to clear the air about the film, which has been described as
anti-Dalit by the groups opposed to it.

Jha, flanked by Athavale, addressed a press meet in Mumbai and said
that his film has now been cleared by groups, which were earlier
opposed to it. He promised that the changes in the movie will keep the
sensibilities of all sections in mind. This comes after the UP and
Punjab governments put a ban on release of Aarakshan.

"We are ready for changes to address hurt feelings. We are ready for
minor cuts as per objections raised," Jha told reporters on Thursday.

Now a day ahead of the release of the film, security has been
tightened at the residence of Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan in
Mumbai. Security was stepped up at the houses of Bachchan and Khan as
a precautionary measure after the attack on Jha's house and office.

Punjab, UP ban film
Earlier, trouble for Aarakshan grew. After the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on Wednesday called for cuts,
the Punjab government came out and put a hold on the release of the
film in the state a day after Uttar Pradesh banned it.

The Punjab government has imposed a ban on the screening of the movie,
which is based on reservation, till a screening committee previews it
and submits its report.

The screening committee will meet later on Thursday to view the film
and submit its report on Friday. The seven-member panel comprises two
vice-chancellors, two senior IAS officers, two backward caste leaders
and a government representative.

According to an official spokesman, the Punjab government took this
decision after receiving Intelligence Reports that the movie has
certain scenes and dialogues, which may upset some communities in the
state.

The Mayawati government banned the release of the controversial film
in Uttar Pradesh for two months on the grounds it would create law and
order problem in the state.

A decision to ban the film, which is due to hit the screens on Friday,
was taken late on Wednesday night following a recommendation by a
high-level official committee set up by the BSP government.

The committee comprising principal secretaries of finance,
information, higher education and rural development departments and an
official of entertainment tax committee had watched the film and
submitted their report to the state government.

The official committee felt that its screening would create law and
order problem in UP due to alleged objectionable dialogue in the film.
The committee was of the view that the film's dialogues could create
hatred in the society.

SC/ST panel's plea
Meanwhile, SC/ST panel chairperson P.L. Punia said on Thursday, "We
have seen the film. Few dialogues are very objectionable. We have
communicated to the Censor Board to get these portions deleted. Now we
have no role and it is for the board to decide."

Punia on Wednesday had asked for a detailed investigation by the
Censor Board, demanding a revision of the dialogues that are
anti-Dalit. He also said in its current form, the film is likely to
create communal tension. "Aarakshan has failed. It is likely to create
communal tension," Punia said on Wednesday.

However, the Censor Board says it is not bound by law to listen to the
SC/ST panel chairman, saying after the Bombay HC vacated the stay,
Aarakshan could be released in theatres.

Chairperson of the Censor Board Leela Samson has said, "The HC's
judgement is very clear. This is the victory of freedom of speech and
of every Indian and I am not against the SC community. In fact, I am
sympathetic towards their cause and I understand Mr Punia's worries."

The film has been in the middle of controversies for several weeks
before its release. While some believe that the film is anti-Dalit,
others feel it might create unrest because of the sensitive issues it
deals with.

The Bombay High Court vacated a stay on the film on Tuesday. The
Madras High court too vacated the stay it had imposed over non-payment
of dues. The film is set for release this Friday.

The film has been passed by the Censor Board with a U/A certificate.
The certificate was awarded after an examining committee, set up with
representatives from the Dalit, OBC, SC and ST community, reviewed the
movie.

Speaking to Headlines Today, Jha had said earlier, "My film has all
mandatory clearances. I'm responsible enough. My judgements should be
honoured."

Besides Bachchan and Khan, the film also stars Deepika Padukone, Manoj
Bajpayee and Prateik Babbar.

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[ZESTCaste] Aarakshan ban in two more states

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110812/jsp/nation/story_14370574.jsp

Aarakshan ban in two more states
OUR BUREAU
Saif Ali Khan and Amitabh Bachchan at a promotional for Aarakshan

Aug. 11: Punjab and Andhra Pradesh today stalled the release of
Prakash Jha's Aarakshan, the Friday embargo kicking in a day after
Uttar Pradesh banned the film and an angry Amitabh Bachchan wondered
if India had turned into a "fascist" society.

Both states claimed certain scenes of the movie on caste-based
reservation could hurt backward sections, though Maharashtra's Dalit
and OBC leaders cleared the film after Jha agreed to suggested cuts.

In Bihar, Lalu Prasad's RJD urged chief minister Nitish Kumar to ban
the movie. Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh government had banned its
release for two months.

In Bengal, though, everything was peaceful, with the film set for
release in 118 theatres. "The Central Board of Film Certification has
passed the film and we are only respecting their directive," said Ajay
Bakliwal, who is distributing the film in the state.

A spokesperson for the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab said the ban
would remain till a seven-member panel, headed by state home secretary
Samir Kumar, saw the film and submitted a report.

In Congress-ruled Andhra, the decision came after a review by the home
minister, the police chief and the information commissioner, who said
the film had "objectionable" scenes that could hurt Dalits.

Last night, an exasperated Bachchan, who stars in the film, blogged:
"If creative expression is to be curbed by institutes that wish to
dictate their terms… above the conditions of… recognized
constitutional formats… then we might as well accept that we live not
in the sanctity of the tenets of democracy but a most unfortunate
fascist conditioning."

In Mumbai, Chhagan Bhujbal and Ramdas Athavale gave their go-ahead
with conditional cuts. Jha, who addressed a joint media conference
with Athavale, said he had agreed to two cuts. "Now let's move on," he
said.
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[ZESTCaste] Dalit outfit stages protest against release of Aarakshan

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_dalit-outfit-stages-protest-against-release-of-aarakshan_1575215

Dalit outfit stages protest against release of Aarakshan
Published: Friday, Aug 12, 2011, 16:00 IST
Place: Chennai | Agency: PTI

Controversial Hindi movie Aarakshan (Reservation), which has been
banned in three states, saw a Dalit outfit staging a protest here
ahead of its scheduled release today, demanding it be banned in Tamil
Nadu.

The Prakash Jha produced movie stars Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan
and Deepika Padukone

Dalit outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi staged an agitation in
front of Satyam theatre, where the movie is to be released, demaning
that it be banned in the state.

A party spokesman said cadres had assembled in other places in the
state like Coimbatore, but that the film was not released in theatres

The party claimed more than 100 VCK activists were arrested and
demanded that the movie, banned in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and
Punjab, be banned in Tamil Nadu also.

Jha today moved the Supreme Court seeking its direction to lift ban on
release of his film in these states.

After Uttar Pradesh, its release was banned in Punjab and Andhra
Pradesh yesterday over certain controversial scenes and dialogues,
which the director had said he is ready to delete.

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[ZESTCaste] Orissa''s plan to end untouchability,ban on dalits temple entry

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/orissas-plan-to-end-untouchabilityban-on-dalits-temple-entry/785154.html

Orissa''s plan to end untouchability,ban on dalits temple entry
PTI | 07:08 PM,Aug 11,2011

Bhubaneswar, Aug 11 (PTI) In its bid to end the age- old practice of
untouchability and ban on entry into temples in certain pockets of the
state, Orissa government has prepared a strategy to deal with such
situation. "It was decided to initiate prompt action against the
persons delivering inflammatory speeches on the basis of caste besides
launching massive awareness campaign against the menace," a senior
official in the ST, SC, OBC and Minorities Development department said
today. The state government's plan to check the dual issue was part of
the strategy prepared to be submitted with the National Commission for
Scheduled Caste (NCSC). The state government had earlier assured NCSC
that it would prepare a strategy plan to combat the practices last
month. "District administration along with police should move the
administration of major temples in the state to issue necessary
advisory to managing committees to take all possible steps for ensuing
that there is no discrimination between one community and the other so
far as entry and offer of puja are concerned," the strategy plan
report said. Earlier NCSC chairman P L Punia had expressed grave
concern over the ban on entry of dalits into a temple at Brahmagiri in
Puri district. Punia visited the temple and asked the government to
ensure that all should get equal opportunity to enter temple and offer
puja. more PTI AAM SKN RG

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[ZESTCaste] Punjab, AP also ban Jha’s Aarakshan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/After-UP-Punjab-AP-also-ban-Prakash-Jha-s-Aarakshan/Article1-732203.aspx

Punjab, AP also ban Jha's Aarakshan
Vikas Pathak, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, August 11, 2011
A day before its release Prakash Jha's movie Aarakshan (Reservation)
has stirred a controversy, with the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra
Pradesh governments banning it and the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes (NCSC) reporting to the Central Board of Film
Certification that it has "objectionable dialogues".

Lead actor Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a college principal in the film
about quotas in higher education, slammed the bans and protests as the
"most unfortunate fascist conditioning".

Security has been strengthened outside the houses of Bachchan and Saif
Ali Khan, who plays a Dalit in the movie.
NCSC chairman PL Punia said, "We have seen the film. Some dialogues
are objectionable. We have forwarded them to the censor board to
decide."

OBC Parliamentary Forum convenor V Hanumantha Rao wrote to minister
for information and broadcasting Ambika Soni to have the filmmakers
remove the "objectionable" portions.

A UP government official justified the two-month ban in the state,
saying, "The state government doesn't want tensions at a time when
polls are approaching." Assembly elections are due in UP and Punjab in
less than a year.

"A government with a Dalit base wants to send a political message of
strength through the ban," said Badri Narayan, an Allahabad-based
expert on Dalit politics.

Explaining why the film has been banned in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal
MP Naresh Gujral told HT: "We have the highest percentage of Dalits in
India at about 30%. We are also a border state where Pakistan always
wants to create trouble. Can we risk social tension?" Jostling with
the Telangana crisis and the rebellion of Jagan Mohan Reddy, the
Congress government in Andhra Pradesh already has its hands full.

Aarakshan director Prakash Jha said, "For states where it has created
problems, it is not a question of re-editing of the film but of
sorting out certain issues."

While filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt rued that "freedom of expression remains
a distant dream", lawyer Aman Lekhi told HT that the film could be in
legal trouble if Dalits feel hurt. "Freedom of speech does not
encompass derogatory remarks," he said.

JNU sociologist Vivek Kumar said the promos suggest attempts at
"stereotyping deprived communities".

(Inputs from Chandigarh & Hyderabad)

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits protest against Aarakshan in Mumbai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/gallery/dalits-protest-against-aarakshan-in-mumbai/1/5303.html

Dalits protest against Aarakshan in Mumbai

Dalit people protest against Arakshan in Mumbai.
PHOTO: Bhaskar Paul/India Today1 of 3 next
Dalit people protest against Prakash Jha's Arakshan in Mumbai on
August 11, 2011.

Earlier, the makers of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer agreed to minor
changes in the movie to satisfy demands of pro-Dalit groups. This was
decided after director Jha met RPI leader Ramdas Athavale to clear the
air about the film, which has been described as anti-Dalit by the
groups.

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits' temple entry: Cong questions Orissa govt’s sincerity

http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=28499

Dalits' temple entry: Cong questions Orissa govt's sincerity
Friday, August 12, 2011

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe Cell chairman Ripunath Seth on Thursday alleged that
the state government has no sincerity in creating conditions for entry
of SC and dalit people into the Jagannath temple.

SC and Dalit Congress state unit convener Bankanidhi Behera and former
minister Ganeswar Behera reacting to a news that the state government
has prepared a strategy to nullify the traditional restriction on SC
and ST people in entering the temple premises, said that the state
government had shown no interest for the uplift of the SC and the
dalit sections of the society during the 12 years of its tenure.

They said that the state government suddenly woke up when the National
Commission for SC/ST asked for a report on the issue of temple entry.
Several ministers, MPs and other political leaders are also found
using disparaging words irritating the SC and dalit communities, they
alleged.

Public awareness and strong implementation of law can eradicate the
practice untouchability from the society. If it continues, the OPCC SC
and Dalit Cell would take to the streets across the state, the leaders
warned.

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