IDSFFK row: Minister Balan slams I&B ministry

Thiruvananthapuram: Just because a documentary deals with current socio-political issues, it can’t be branded anti-national, said state cultural affairs minister A K Balan.
He was responding to the information & broadcasting ministry’s decision to deny permission to screen three short films in the upcoming international documentary and short film festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).
‘The Unbearable Being of Lightness’ directed by Ramachandran P N based on the death of research scholar on Rohit Vemula, ‘In the Shade of Fallen Chinar’ directed by Fazil N C and Shawn Sebastian based on unrest in Kashmir and ‘March March March’ directed by Kathu Lukose based on the massive student protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University were the short films which were denied permission for screening in the festival.
Balan said the fascist way of silencing critics by threat had been prevailing in the country for quite some time. “Why some people are scared when current social issues are portrayed in art forms? Artists always discuss topical issues. Recently, we also witnessed murders of free thinkers and those who dare to speak the truth. The short film ban is the latest in that episode,” Balan said in a statement, which was also posted on his Facebook page.
Recalling that Kerala has been successfully hosting the documentary and short film festival for the last 10 years, Balan said no other state was organizing such a fair. “Apart from Kerala festival, Indian documentaries have screening opportunities only in festivals organized abroad. Cultural leaders should protest against this,” he added.
Criticizing unhealthy interventions in art and cultural sectors, Balan said the practice of insisting on food habits, dress style, religious belief and cultural activities was a dangerous trend.
The 10th edition of IDSFFK will be held in Thiruvananthapuram from June 16 to 20. Around 260 short films and documentaries are expected to be screened in the five-day festival. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan would inaugurate the festival.