Full Breakdown
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Hyderabad Cancels Uncertified Documentary on Activist Umar Khalid after CBFC Objection
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 18 2026 a student-organized screening of the documentary *“Prisoner No. 626710 is Present”*—directed by Lalit Vachani and focusing on jailed activist Umar Khalid—was cancelled at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H). The cancellation followed a notice from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on September 17 2026 that public exhibition of an uncertified film violates the Cinematograph Act unless a specific exemption is obtained.
Background & Context
Umar Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University research scholar, was arrested on September 13 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and has remained in judicial custody for more than six years. The documentary compiles archival footage and personal accounts of his detention. A similar screening was planned at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru for September 14 2026, marking Political Prisoners’ Day, but was postponed after objections from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyaarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Timeline of Key Dates
- September 13 2020 – Khalid arrested under UAPA.
- September 14 2026 (scheduled) – NLSIU screening postponed after ABVP objections.
- September 17 2026 – CBFC posts on X that public screening of an uncertified documentary violates the Cinematograph Act and tags IIIT-H.
- September 18 2026 – Planned IIIT-H screening cancelled.
- September 16 2026 – ABVP submits memorandum to Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal demanding permanent cancellation of the NLSIU screening.
- September 15 2026 – Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad calls Khalid a “nationalist” and attacks ABVP’s right to comment.
Official Statements & Responses
- IIIT-Hyderabad: Stated no official permission was obtained, the event was not organised by the institute or any recognised student body, and it was promptly cancelled once the “unauthorised” activity was identified.
- NLSIU: Cited “logistical and security considerations” for the postponement and said the university would reschedule the screening later in the trimester.
Criticism & Opposition
- ABVP: Accused the screening of “political propaganda” and demanded permanent cancellation of the NLSIU event and stricter guidelines against “anti-national narratives” in academia.
- Karnataka Congress (B K Hariprasad): Countered ABVP’s stance by labeling Khalid a “nationalist” and arguing the student organisation “has no moral right” to speak on him.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Institute has made it clear that no public or private screening of the film will be permitted in any Institute space, including classrooms, laboratories or offices,” — CBFC.
- “There is a well laid out process for seeking exemptions and obtaining the same from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.” — Central Board of Film Certification.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Reason for Cancellation: IIIT-H cites lack of official permission and the CBFC’s legal objection, while student groups claim the event was an independent academic exercise. No verification has been provided on whether an exemption request was filed.
- Nature of ABVP Objection: ABVP frames its demand as a security issue, whereas organisers describe the postponement as a precautionary measure unrelated to external pressure.
Why It Matters
The episode underscores the tension between statutory film-certification rules, campus autonomy, and political activism in Indian higher-education institutions, highlighting how student-led cultural events can become flashpoints for debates over free expression, national security, and regulatory authority.