By PTI
BHOPAL: A chat on LGBTQ points by film-maker and homosexual rights activist Onir Dhar on the ongoing Bhopal Lit Fest (BLF) right here was cancelled as a gaggle threatened to stage a protest, a member of the organizing workforce stated on Saturday.
They have been informed by “government sources” that safety points may come up as a consequence of Dhar’s presence, stated writer-journalist Abhilash Khandekar, a member of the organising committee.
“It is obvious that any author should be sad in such a situation, but we were told by government sources that they do not want this kind of author (Dhar) in Bharat Bhawan due to security reasons as it may ruin the event,” he informed PTI.
The BLF began at Bharat Bhawan, a government-owned arts advanced right here, on Friday. Dhar was scheduled to talk on the opening day.
Earlier, Dhar, the maker of the acclaimed movie “My Brother. Nikhil”, took to Twitter to interrupt the information.
“Shocked and Sad that an event I was really looking forward to speaking at had to drop me. Apparently, there was a group threatening protest and violence and the police told the organisers that they cannot guarantee my safety. So, they cancelled the event. Let me process this,” he stated in a tweet.
Shocked and Sad that an occasion I used to be actually trying ahead to talking at needed to drop me . Apparently there was a gaggle threatening protest and violence and the police informed the organisers that they can’t assure my security. So they cancelled the occasion. Let me course of this… pic.twitter.com/AMSeG9CAa1
— iamOnir (@IamOnir) January 12, 2023
Khandekar stated they thought it higher to cancel his session slightly than cancelling your complete competition.
“We respect freedom of speech. Therefore, we had invited Onir Dhar to the BLF. Even RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has recently spoken on the LGBTQ issue. The Lit Fest organised by the Centre in Shimla last year also had sessions on this subject,” he stated.
“So, when we were told that a question of his safety and security can arise in Bhopal, we requested Dhar (about agreeing to cancellation). Someone suggested that police can be called, but we believe police should not be there in a literature festival.” Khandekar added.
The organizers need to put Bhopal on the nation’s literary map, he stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs has supported the BLF — organized by a non-public group — formally, Khandekar added.
BHOPAL: A chat on LGBTQ points by film-maker and homosexual rights activist Onir Dhar on the ongoing Bhopal Lit Fest (BLF) right here was cancelled as a gaggle threatened to stage a protest, a member of the organizing workforce stated on Saturday.
They have been informed by “government sources” that safety points may come up as a consequence of Dhar’s presence, stated writer-journalist Abhilash Khandekar, a member of the organising committee.
“It is obvious that any author should be sad in such a situation, but we were told by government sources that they do not want this kind of author (Dhar) in Bharat Bhawan due to security reasons as it may ruin the event,” he informed PTI.
The BLF began at Bharat Bhawan, a government-owned arts advanced right here, on Friday. Dhar was scheduled to talk on the opening day.
Earlier, Dhar, the maker of the acclaimed movie “My Brother. Nikhil”, took to Twitter to interrupt the information.
“Shocked and Sad that an event I was really looking forward to speaking at had to drop me. Apparently, there was a group threatening protest and violence and the police told the organisers that they cannot guarantee my safety. So, they cancelled the event. Let me process this,” he stated in a tweet.
Shocked and Sad that an occasion I used to be actually trying ahead to talking at needed to drop me . Apparently there was a gaggle threatening protest and violence and the police informed the organisers that they can’t assure my security. So they cancelled the occasion. Let me course of this… pic.twitter.com/AMSeG9CAa1
— iamOnir (@IamOnir) January 12, 2023
Khandekar stated they thought it higher to cancel his session slightly than cancelling your complete competition.
“We respect freedom of speech. Therefore, we had invited Onir Dhar to the BLF. Even RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has recently spoken on the LGBTQ issue. The Lit Fest organised by the Centre in Shimla last year also had sessions on this subject,” he stated.
“So, when we were told that a question of his safety and security can arise in Bhopal, we requested Dhar (about agreeing to cancellation). Someone suggested that police can be called, but we believe police should not be there in a literature festival.” Khandekar added.
The organizers need to put Bhopal on the nation’s literary map, he stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs has supported the BLF — organized by a non-public group — formally, Khandekar added.
