‘Bastar: The Naxal Story’ screened in JNU; poll panel says against code of conduct

The screening was held ahead of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections slated for March 22 and the declaration of results on March 24.

Currently, a partial code of conduct is in effect in JNU which prohibits holding any event without prior permission from the Election Committee.

The varsity’s Election Committee said the film’s screening violated the partial code of conduct effective on the campus amid the ongoing JNUSU election process.

“The Committee clarifies that NO INFORMATION was given AND/ OR NO PERMISSION was obtained for the event,” said Shailendra Kumar, Election Committee chairperson, in a statement. “Furthermore, the EC had informed the competent authority prior to the event that this event is in violation of the partial code of conduct for the JNUSU elections 2023-24,” he added.

“The Election Committee appeals to the JNU community to adhere to the Partial Code of Conduct and obtain prior permission from the Election Committee for conducting any event in the university till the conclusion of the election process.”

Left students’ groups objected to the screening and called it an attempt to promote propaganda ahead of the JNUSU elections. However, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) denied organising the event and said some of its members helped in coordinating the event in their individual capacity.

A student, who wished not to be named, stated, “This screening has nothing to do with the ABVP or the election. This is a RKM event and a few students have helped them out in a personal capacity.”