The Kolkata police recently halted the screening of a documentary that portrayed “sensitive” issues, such as communalism and exploitation of Muslim minorities in the state.
A report by BBC Bangla stated that the documentary, titled "Musalmaner Katha" ("Tale of Muslims"), tried to explore the reasons behind the slow economic and social progress of the community.
“It reveals how the Muslims have been denied opportunities, marginalised and exploited over the years by the politicians since the country’s independence,” said a Times of India report.
The documentary also contains an exclusive interview with a senior police officer of the state, who was issued a show cause notice for criticising the state government for its policy with regard to the Muslim citizens.
Directed by Soumitra Dastidar, the film was slated for screening at an auditorium of Nandan, a government-sponsored cultural centre, but was stopped by the police.
Sumoy Mukharjee, a government spokesman, said: “Police stopped the screening of the documentary as it does not have any sensor certificate.”
On the other hand, Director Soumitra Dastidar said: “The issue of certification is a mere excuse. No such thing is mandatory for screening a documentary at Nandan.”
According to Times of India, the film was shot across the state over the last six months and sought to bust the “myth” that Bengal is traditionally tolerant towards the minority community.
“Tracing the Hindu-Muslim divide over centuries, it seeks to establish the fact that Muslims in the state have been allowed to slide into hopelessness,” the Times of India report said.
"The Partition saw the cream of the Muslim community leave for Pakistan. Those who stayed behind were largely the poor, landless farmers who had no education or access to the influential sections of society. Instead of extending a helping hand to them, they were further exploited and marginalised. As a result, there is no Muslim middle-class today," said Dastidar.
