Revoke the ban on Final Solution
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We, the undersigned, express our deep concern about the recent ban on Rakesh Sharmas internationally acclaimed documentary "Final Solution". We urge the Government of India to immediately revoke the ban imposed by the Censor Board. We hope measures will be undertaken to facilitate the immediate release of the film to the general public.
Final Solution is a study of the politics of hate. Set in Gujarat during the period Feb/March 2002 - July 2003, the film graphically documents the changing face of right-wing politics in India through a study of genocidal violence against Moslems in Gujarat. The film documents the Assembly elections held in Gujarat in late 2002 and records in detail the exploitation of the Godhra incident (in which 58 Hindus were burnt alive) by the right-wing propaganda machinery for electoral gains. It studies the situation after the storm and its impact on Hindus and Moslems ghettoisation in cities and villages, segregation in schools, the call for economic boycott of Moslems and continuing acts of violence more than a year after the carnage. Final Solution is anti-hate/ violence as those who forget history are condemned to relive it.
"Final Solution " is a feature-length documentary that has won several awards, including the Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Documentary at the HongKong International film festival and the Silver Dhow at the Zanzibar International film festival as well as two major awards at the Berlin International film festival (2004). The Wolgang Staudte Award Jury headed by the noted French director Catherine Breillat noted in its citation: "An epic documentary focussing on a culture of hatred and indifference. The directness, clarity and accuracy of the film enables the viewer to both reflect on the universality of the subject matter and relate this to his or her own human attitudes. The film-maker has chosen a documentary form that completely shuns the use of melodramatic effects..."
The Netpac Jury at the Berlinale said: the award goes to Final Solution "for its clarification of issues that spawned hate and violence between Hindus and Moslems in Gujarat, its analysis of propoganda mechanisms for political purposes, and its measured voice to seek a final solution to the conflict."
We are shocked to note that the Indian Censors have offered the following reasons for the ban: The film promotes communal disharmony among Hindu and Muslim groups and presents the picture of Gujarat riots in a way that it may arouse the communal feelings and clashes among Hindu Muslim groups. It attacks on the basic concept of our Republic i.e. National Integrity and Unity. Certain dialogues involve defamation of individuals or body of individuals. Entire picturisation is highly provocative and may trigger off unrest and communal violence. State security is jeopardized and public order is endangered if this film is shown. It violates guidelines 2(xiii), 2(xiv), 2(xvii) and 3(i). When it is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall impact, it is not advisable to be exhibited. Hence refused under Section 5(b) 1 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
[Section 5B(1): A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of [the sovereignty and integrity of India] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence. 2 (xiii) -Visible words which promote communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and anti national attitudes. 2(xiv)-The sovereignty and integrity of India is called in question. 2(xvii) -Public order is endangered].
We find the observations made by the Indian Censor Board to be deeply disturbing. We are appalled to note that the Censor Board preview panel has several members affiliated with the right-wing political party who do not hesitate to use their official position to suppress any film critical of their politics. We would like to express our protest against the ban on Final Solution as well as the attempts to harass the film-maker through show-cause notices querying the participation of his film in international film festivals and demanding explanations about customs duties etc, matters clearly outside the Censor Boards jurisdiction. We are gravely concerned about the strong-arm tactics being used by right-wing cadres to thwart public screenings of the film even in film festivals like Films for Freedom at Bangalore on July 29, 2004.
The right to freedom of expression and the right to information are central to any healthy and vibrant democracy. We urge you to take immediate steps to arrange for the speedy release of Final Solution without cuts. Final Solution is itself a strong plea against the politics of intolerance and hate and we are perturbed to find it become a victim of political intolerance.
Final Solution is a study of the politics of hate. Set in Gujarat during the period Feb/March 2002 - July 2003, the film graphically documents the changing face of right-wing politics in India through a study of genocidal violence against Moslems in Gujarat. The film documents the Assembly elections held in Gujarat in late 2002 and records in detail the exploitation of the Godhra incident (in which 58 Hindus were burnt alive) by the right-wing propaganda machinery for electoral gains. It studies the situation after the storm and its impact on Hindus and Moslems ghettoisation in cities and villages, segregation in schools, the call for economic boycott of Moslems and continuing acts of violence more than a year after the carnage. Final Solution is anti-hate/ violence as those who forget history are condemned to relive it.
"Final Solution " is a feature-length documentary that has won several awards, including the Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Documentary at the HongKong International film festival and the Silver Dhow at the Zanzibar International film festival as well as two major awards at the Berlin International film festival (2004). The Wolgang Staudte Award Jury headed by the noted French director Catherine Breillat noted in its citation: "An epic documentary focussing on a culture of hatred and indifference. The directness, clarity and accuracy of the film enables the viewer to both reflect on the universality of the subject matter and relate this to his or her own human attitudes. The film-maker has chosen a documentary form that completely shuns the use of melodramatic effects..."
The Netpac Jury at the Berlinale said: the award goes to Final Solution "for its clarification of issues that spawned hate and violence between Hindus and Moslems in Gujarat, its analysis of propoganda mechanisms for political purposes, and its measured voice to seek a final solution to the conflict."
We are shocked to note that the Indian Censors have offered the following reasons for the ban: The film promotes communal disharmony among Hindu and Muslim groups and presents the picture of Gujarat riots in a way that it may arouse the communal feelings and clashes among Hindu Muslim groups. It attacks on the basic concept of our Republic i.e. National Integrity and Unity. Certain dialogues involve defamation of individuals or body of individuals. Entire picturisation is highly provocative and may trigger off unrest and communal violence. State security is jeopardized and public order is endangered if this film is shown. It violates guidelines 2(xiii), 2(xiv), 2(xvii) and 3(i). When it is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall impact, it is not advisable to be exhibited. Hence refused under Section 5(b) 1 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
[Section 5B(1): A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of [the sovereignty and integrity of India] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence. 2 (xiii) -Visible words which promote communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and anti national attitudes. 2(xiv)-The sovereignty and integrity of India is called in question. 2(xvii) -Public order is endangered].
We find the observations made by the Indian Censor Board to be deeply disturbing. We are appalled to note that the Censor Board preview panel has several members affiliated with the right-wing political party who do not hesitate to use their official position to suppress any film critical of their politics. We would like to express our protest against the ban on Final Solution as well as the attempts to harass the film-maker through show-cause notices querying the participation of his film in international film festivals and demanding explanations about customs duties etc, matters clearly outside the Censor Boards jurisdiction. We are gravely concerned about the strong-arm tactics being used by right-wing cadres to thwart public screenings of the film even in film festivals like Films for Freedom at Bangalore on July 29, 2004.
The right to freedom of expression and the right to information are central to any healthy and vibrant democracy. We urge you to take immediate steps to arrange for the speedy release of Final Solution without cuts. Final Solution is itself a strong plea against the politics of intolerance and hate and we are perturbed to find it become a victim of political intolerance.
3843 Signatures
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Rani Day B
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Editor/filmmaker
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Ayesha D
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Social Worker
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Mayur
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Software
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Debashis S
- Country
- Canada
- Professsion/Organisation
- Independant Artist
- Comments
- History has many lessons. I believe the People of India, given the chance, want to rise above hate and violence.
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Debayan
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- ESPN
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debojit s
- Country
- india
- Professsion/Organisation
- media
- Comments
- wen will they grow up!!!
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candida m
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Journalist
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Lawrence C
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Director, Medical Anthropology Program, University of California, Berkeley
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deborah w
- Country
- usa
- Professsion/Organisation
- feature film publicist
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Deepa G
- Country
- INDIA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Inox Leisure Ltd
- Comments
- It is shocking that the Indian Censor Board continues to subjugate our freedom of expression by often banning films, that investigate the truth and are made to sensitise the citizens on important issues. It's even more of a joke when we consider ourselves to be part of the world's largest democracy!
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Deepa M
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Assistant Professor
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Deepa
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
- Comments
- its a gr8 film a true eye opener
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Deepali G
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Software Consultant
- Comments
- 0
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Sanjay G
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Communication consultant
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Carla Carmona E
- Country
- Spain
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
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Delna
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Model Management
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Mukund
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Software Engineer
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Nandini D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
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Apurva K
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Artist
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Seema D
- Country
- UK
- Professsion/Organisation
- -
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Frazer Mascarenhas S
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Principal, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
- Comments
- We must get these politics of hate out of our system
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deval g
- Country
- switzerland
- Professsion/Organisation
- architect
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Devang V
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Business Consultant
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Bruce D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Instructional Writer
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Dharni V
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Bowdoin College
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Tania R
- Country
- india
- Professsion/Organisation
- academic/writer
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Digvijay Singh D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Journalist/ DD News
- Comments
- I think a time has come when the Indian audience should be given the right to decide for himself what he wants to see or not to see.The censorship laws are a joke and while President Kalam has a 2020 vision for India, he should give a free copy of the vision to all censor board members and the so called culture pandits
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Elvis D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Oilfield Technician
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Dilip P
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Chartered Accountant
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Dilip D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Writer
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Reshu A
- Country
- Nepal
- Professsion/Organisation
- Film South Asia - Festival of South Asian Documentaries
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Divia T
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- self employed
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Divya
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
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Diya M
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Sarai
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dalyn l
- Country
- United States
- Professsion/Organisation
- Composition Instructor
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Gabriel G
- Country
- USA
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
- Comments
- Far from promoting communal disharmony, this film is essential if India wishes to rise above the politicized cycle of communal vengence.
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Erhard H
- Country
- Germany
- Professsion/Organisation
- Journalist
- Comments
- banning of a good film is not worthy of the worlds largest democracy
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Bina Sarkar E
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Editor/Gallerie Publishers
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N G
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Researcher
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Cyrill D
- Country
- Ireland
- Professsion/Organisation
- Artist
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Garima B
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Engineer
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Geoffrey A
- Country
- Kenya
- Professsion/Organisation
- Director, Sense International (East Africa)
- Comments
- You can only learn from an injustice after you have seen the form with which it has been applied.
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Gauhar R
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Activist, ANHAD
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Gautam D
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Student
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Gautam S
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Associate/Credit Suisse First Boston
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gautam s
- Country
- india
- Professsion/Organisation
- freelance photographer
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Gayatri G
- Country
- UK
- Professsion/Organisation
- Social Research
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Gayatri R
- Country
- U.S.A.
- Professsion/Organisation
- Asst. Professor/UIC
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Doris R
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Media
- Comments
- This ban should question the very reason why the censor board exists and its role in democratic society...
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Gayatri C
- Country
- India
- Professsion/Organisation
- Film Studies
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3843
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