Budhdha In A Traffic Jam Screening Issued Agitation Among JU Students

Kolkata: An open air screening at Jadavpur University (JU) of controversial political and crime drama Budhdha In A Traffic Jam on Friday lead to an agitation and violence breakout in the university campus.

Reports are that the supporters of the RSS student wing, ‘allegedly roughed up some girl students’, following a violent protest at the Triguna Sen Auditorium that was booked for pre-release of the film. The protesters said that the movie will violate the prevailing Model Code of Conduct of the state. “I regret to inform you that due to model code of conduct prevailing due to state election we are unable to allow you to screen the movie,” Sipra Patra, an Alumni Association member said.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher and actor-cum-writer and director Vivek Agnihotri who were expected to be present in the special screening, attended the program and was manhandled, report said. Also, Agnihotri was welcomed at the university by students holding black flags, sloganeering and asking him to go back. Agnihotri claimed that his car was manhandled and gherao-ed by students who broke the car glass and left the vehicle shattered.

The Hate Story and Goal-famed director later asserted: “The students arranged a bed-sheet and turned it into a screen to see my film. Many watched it and realized it’s not what they were thinking. It is a realistic film.”

JU Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das, following the scuffle by the student, said that the ‘university had no role to play in the cancellation of the screening’. “The hall doesn’t belong to us. It is not controlled at all by us. We have no role to play in the screening or cancellation,” he added.

The film will be released on May 13 across the country.