Activist defies ban, screens rape documentary in Agra

Defying the ban, an activist went ahead and aired the BBC documentary India’s Daughter in an Agra village on Sunday evening.

Activist Ketan Dixit, associated with Stop acid Attack movement, made the screening possible at Roop Dhan village in Anwalkheda.

Speaking about his protest, Dixit said, ““The documentary has been telecast by BBC and is all set for release in US and in such scenario, there is no use banning the screening of documentary in India.”

“This is the beginning of a series of protest and we will also lodge a protest petition online against this ban.  About 60 to 70 villagers gathered to view the documentary which is of 59 minutes,” added Ketan. 

The audience at the village, located almost 40km from Agra, sat in rapt attention as the documentary unspooled on the makeshift screen made up of bedsheets.

Although the documentary was in English, volunteers at hand explained to the audience in Hindi what was being said. Many women in the village, who were part of the audience of about 70, said that they could empathize with the victim’s plight. 

Meanwhile, officials in the UP government, which is responsible for enforcing the ban in the state, when contacted, said they were awaiting instructions.