Let the show begin

The controversy over the screening of the film has taken a new turn with the Censor Board clearing it. It was submitted to the Board by Jha, who is technically the “producer” on behalf of Doordarshan. A public interest litigation is being considered to press for its screening, given that public money has been spent on it.

Anyone who knew JP and sees the film — I saw a private screening of it — will have views on how it could have been a better film. Maybe Jha’s credibility would have been questioned less by his opponents had he interviewed a few more socialist associates of JP like Mrinal Gore, Madhu Dandavate, Surendra Mohan along with half a dozen BJP leaders. But should that be reason for stopping its screening?

According to Jha, the objections that have been raised include references to the Emergency, “tanashahi”, a remark by one of those interviewed that Sanjay Gandhi wanted to incapacitate JP, and the slogan, “Indira Hatao, desh bachao”. Jha has refused to make the changes.

It is almost 30 years since the Emergency. Even secret documents are declassified after 30 years. To object to criticism of it is to betray a mindset which should have no place in India 2004. This is an era of free skies, coalition politics and devolution of power.

We live in times when a Michael Moore can make Fahrenheit 9\11. What could be more damaging to George W. Bush than to show his complete immobilisation when news of the demolition of the World Trade Center is conveyed to him? The film is a blockbuster and it was lapped up in theatres and on TV networks all over America and that too in an election year. Nobody has asked that Moore change anything in the film. And despite it all, Bush has won. That is the beauty of a free flowing debate.

Even a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, Sonia Gandhi, has already regretted the Emergency. She stated that Indira Gandhi herself had a rethink or she would not have called the 1977 polls. Sonia has shown a liberal approach in the way she demonstrated a readiness to craft a coalition with parties which were on the other side of the political fence.

The mandarins of Shastri Bhavan feel that Jha has not been even-handed in his portrayal of JP. But then every artist and film-maker sees things in a particular way and that is what creative freedom is all about. Surely, the film was not meant to be a view of JP, as seen by the DAVP or by the PIB.

It is a tragedy if it is true that there is not enough footage available on JP. Here was a man who shunned power though he was among the most respected figures of the 20th century, whose role in the reversal of authoritarian trends came at a time when many countries which had won freedom at the same time as India were reverting to dictatorships. Tolerance of dissenting views and maintenance of relations with political adversaries despite differences, has been the hallmark of our democracy. One of the lesser known facts about JP is that he maintained a relationship with the Gandhi-Nehru family despite his political differences with them. Despite his imprisonment during the Emergency, he handed over to Indira Gandhi a bundle of personal letters which had been written by Kamla Nehru to his wife Prabhadevi, as he did not want them to fall in the wrong hands.

This is happening in a ministry led by a liberal like Jaipal Reddy, who takes pride in being a champion of the freedom of expression. It is happening under the supposedly independent Prasar Bharati Board.

Not only is Doordarshan’s response illiberal, it is also apolitical. It does not even serve the interests of the ruling Congress. It is only likely to invite needless political flak. In the mid-seventies, the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan united a disparate Opposition. The government would be foolish to allow a film on JP to unite an otherwise divided Opposition by raking up the ghost of the Emergency and censorship.