Censoring Caste Realities Will Kill the Soul of Phule’s Biopic: Kancha Ilaiah | The Wire
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A biopic on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, which was supposed to be released on Phule's 198th birth anniversary on April 11, 2025, could not be released after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asking for cuts following protests by Brahmin organisations in Maharashtra. The film, directed by Anant Mahadevan, depicts the lives of the 19th-century social reformer Jyotiba Phule, who fought against caste oppression and promoted education for women and Dalits. Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, in an interview, expressed dismay over the CBFC's swift response to the protests. "The film is based on historical facts, yet the CBFC is asking to remove caste names like 'Mahar', 'Mang' and 'Peshwa,' and even the term 'Manu Dharma,' which is central to understanding the caste system," he said. The board also objected to scenes depicting untouchability, such as a Dalit man carrying a pot to collect spit or a Brahmin boy throwing dung on Savitribai Phule. Shepherd highlighted that the protests were led by just a handful of Brahmin organisations in Maharashtra, such as the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasangh, yet the CBFC acted swiftly. The professor also criticised the silence of feminist organisations and upper-caste intellectuals. "Savitribai Phule's life is a symbol of women's empowerment in the country. Where are the voices defending her story?" He pointed out the irony in the Maharashtra government, which is led by Brahmin chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, with his government recommending a Bharat Ratna for Phule but keeping mum on the censorship of Phule's biopic. Director Anant Mahadevan, who belongs to the Brahmin community, has defended the film, stating it was deeply researched. He said, "Why would I offend my own community? The film is a tribute to Phule's legacy." #phule #thewire #maharashtra #KanchaIlaiah #PhuleBiopic #MahatmaPhule Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join
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