Amid 'Delhi Riots 2020' book row, Anurag Kashyap says 'banning suppresses free speech'

Coronavirus and celebrity deaths have made netizens curse 2020 and call it ‘worst year’ among ors. However, much before events, ar unpleasant occurrence this year had been Delhi riots during February. As anuncement of book Delhi Riots 2020: Untold Story and its subsequent withdrawal created a controversy, Anurag Kashyap stated that banning anything, even if it was ‘made of lies’, meant suppression of freedom of expression,

READ: Bloomsbury India Withdraws 'Delhi Riots 2020' Book Facing Online Ire; BJP MP Slams Move

Anurag Kashyap hints at Delhi Riots book controversy

Without naming book, Anurag Kashyap wrote that banning a book he doesn’t agree with was same as banning a book that he agreed with. director added that it was similar to banning a film that offends somebody and banning his film that offended somebody. 

Black Friday filmmaker continued that democracy gave to both opinion and contrary opinion. He added that way to fight is through ‘dissent and education’, and that re will always be a ‘struggle for truth.’ Kashyap concluded by stating that banning and withdrawing was t ‘solution in a healthy democracy.’

READ: Delhi Riots: Court Allows To Summon Ex-AAP Leader Tahir Hussain In IB Officer's Murder

Anurag Kashyap’s films have often been at centre of storm with regards to 'bans.' His debut film Paanch is still unreleased, Black Friday faced a major battle before finally releasing, while productions like Udta Punjab too needed court intervention for release after being ‘banned.’

Delhi Riots 2020 controversy 

Delhi Riots 2020: Untold Story sparked a controversy after a poster of a launch event of book went viral on social media. Apart from authors Monica Arora, Sonali Chitalkar and Prerna Malhotra, pictures of BJP leader Kapil Mishra, director Vivek Agnihotri and journalist Nupur Sharma were listed as attendees of event.  

Kapil Mishra was had sparked a controversy with an inflammatory speech before riots. As poster went viral, a certain section vehemently opposed its release.

publishers of book, Bloomsbury India n released a statement that y were withdrawing book.

 “Bloomsbury India had planned to release Delhi Riots 2020: Untold Story in September, a book purportedly giving a factual report on riots in Delhi in February 2020, based on investigations and interviews conducted by authors,” statement read. 

It furr added, “However, in view of very recent events including a virtual pre-publication launch organised without our kwledge by authors, with participation by parties of whom publishers would t have approved, we have decided to withdraw publication of book. Bloomsbury India strongly supports freedom of speech but also has a deep sense of responsibility towards society.” 

However, ar book on a related topic, on Shaheen Bagh protests, is still being pushed by same publisher.

Delhi riots 

53 persons were killed and over 400 injured in clashes between pro-CAA and anti-CAA groups, sparked by stone-pelting by both camps on February 23, as Shaheen Bagh-like anti-CAA protests spread. Areas like Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar of th-east Delhi were most affected. 

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