NEW DELHI: The Narmada Bachao Andolan led by Medha Patkar on Monday condemned the ban enforced on Amir Khan-starrer Fanaa in Gujarat and said it was an "unlawful action" as the Censor Board had already cleared the film.

"No political forum can go against it and if it does, legal action may be initiated. Such a move is against the freedom of speech and expression and against the Constitution and democratic values. These kind of intimidatory tactics are used by Gujarat politicians out of timidity and intolerance because they realise the civil society's strength and support to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, especially of eminent persons."

The NBA appreciated Amir Khan's committed position of `no displacement without rehabilitation' as non-negotiable and his readiness to bear the brunt. It also expressed the hope that not only Bollywood artists but also common people would support Amir Khan and the displaced people in the Narmada valley.

Assailing the intolerance and violence reflected in the "fanatical and fundamentalist" propaganda against the stand taken by Amir Khan on the Narmada struggle and the Vadodara riots, the NBA said, "whether in the name of religion or development, intolerance is unacceptable."

"Amir Khan is one of concerned and sensitive creative artists who has shown a social commitment beyond commercial interests. We are proud of him just as we are of others who carry the pro-people sensitivity across the ."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail