In a recent incident at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the shooting of a web series titled “Emergency Period in India” faced disruption by the university’s students’ union (JNUSU). The administration had initially granted permission for filming the series within the campus premises. However, the JNUSU objected to this decision, terming it as the “commercialization” of university space.
Here are the key details:
Web Series Details:
- Title: Emergency Period in India
- Director: Sudhir Mishra
- Topic: Explores the historical context of the Emergency period in India
Disruption and Objections:
- The JNUSU raised concerns about the shooting taking place at the administration block, questioning why permission was granted for filming there when students are barred from protesting at the same site.
- Nearly 500 crew members had been stationed on campus for the past two days, setting up production facilities for the web series.
- The JNUSU allegedly obstructed the shooting and attempted to force Sudhir Mishra, the film director, out of the JNU campus.
- The students’ union demanded that the administration return any money taken for allowing the shooting.
Director’s Response:
- Sudhir Mishra tried to engage in dialogue with the opposing students, emphasizing that the web series was not against the varsity’s interests.
- However, disruptions continued, leading to the shooting being halted.
JNUSU’s Stance:
- JNUSU President Dhananjay clarified that they were not against the web series or its team.
- Their objection was rooted in preventing commercialization within the campus premises.
Administration’s Decision:
- The JNU administration had previously granted permission for the shooting, but the students’ concerns led to a clash of perspectives.
Email to Vice-Chancellor:
- The students’ body had earlier written an email to JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit, expressing their discontent.
- They questioned why the shooting was allowed within a 100-meter radius of the administration block while students were restricted from entering the same space for protests.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between artistic expression, historical narratives, and the sanctity of educational institutions. As discussions continue, the controversy surrounding the web series remains a topic of debate within the JNU community
