[IMC-Editorial] Judgment on Aakrosh says analyzing riots is important.

[ramesh pimple]

Press Release

Judgment on Aakrosh says analyzing riots is important.

In a hard-hitting judgment delivered while clear the
release of Ramesh Pimple’s documentary film on Gujarat
riots Aakrosh, the Bombay High Court said that
analyzing riots was important after things return to
normalcy. Criticizing the Central Board of Film
Certification tribunal’s observation that “riots are
now history”and hence needed to forgotten, Justice AP
Shah and SC Dharmadhikari observed: “It is when the
hour of conflict is over it may be necessary to
understand and analyze the reason for strife. We
should not forget that the present state of things is
the consequence of the past; and it is natural to
inquire as to the
sources of the good we enjoy or for the evils we
suffer.”  

Interestingly, this is the first judgment relating to
issue arising out of the Gujarat riots of 2002. 

The order noted: “We have viewed the film from point
of view of an average man and we feel that the
tribunal was not right in observing that the movie
would incite people and would lead to further
violence. It is not correct to say that average people
will not learn their mistakes of the past and perhaps
will not commit same mistake again. The documentary
creates an impression of the message of peace and
co-existence and compassion for the people who
suffered in the riots. Therefore in our opinion, the
decision of the tribunal as well as the decisions of
the Examining committee and Revising Committee cannot
be sustained.”

The court also criticized the Censor Board by saying
“The petitioner to his credit has completely avoided
sensationalism and excitement. He has sincerely tried
to portray the sufferings of the riot-affected
persons. Message of movie is a message of unity and
peace and judged in its entirely we are unable to hold
that the exhibition of the film would lead to communal
violence.”

The judgment delivered on March 3, 2003 by Justice AP
Shah and SC Dharmadhikari of the Bombay High Court in
writ petition no. 2864 / 2003 directed censor board to
give a clearance certificate within 12 weeks. 


For more details contact 

People’s Media Initiative 
B-104, Accord, 
2ND Cross Lane, Lokhandwala Complex,
Andheri (W), Mumbai- 400053
M - 98211 09295 




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