Date: 24 February 2015Time: 7:00 PM

Finishes: 24 February 2015Time: 9:00 PM

Venue: Vernon Square Room: V211

Type of Event: Film

Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai

In September, 2013, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of Western Uttar Pradesh, India, witnessed their worst ever anti-Muslim pogrom since Indian Independence. More than 100 people were killed and close to 80,000 people were displaced.
In the past, the two districts have seen relative harmony between Muslims and Hindus. What happened this time?
‘Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai…’ (Muzaffarnagar eventually…) explores this question examining the many facets of the massacre- the question of  women’s ‘honour’, which was used by organisations of the Hindu right, including BJP-RSS, to orchestrate communal violence,  the merging of caste identity politics within the larger Hindutva fold, the breakdown of the once powerful farmers’ union, the Bhartiya Kissan Union, whose survival hinged on the unity of Hindu and Muslim peasants,  the various aspects of Dalit politics in the districts, the dubious role of the Samajwadi Party, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh and the feeling of complete alienation and marginalisation of the Muslim community. The film looks at how the massacre  found its resonance in the 2014 Indian General election campaign. Finally, it tells of the continued and growing resistance in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts against the corporate- communal nexus.

Nakul Singh Sawhney/2014/135 mins/Hindi with English subtitles

Director

Nakul Singh Sawhney’s films include the award winning With a little help from my friends (2005),  Agaurav and Undecided, (both in 2006),  Once upon a time in Chheharta  and the acclaimed Izzatnagari Ki Asabhya Betiyaan (2012) on “honour” crimes in Haryana.

This event is chaired by Navtej Purewal and Kalpana Wilson.

Organiser: South Asia Solidarity Group

Contact email: ssai@soas.ac.uk

Contact Tel: +44(0)207898 4390

Sponsor: SOAS South Asia Institute