'Outsiders' Tried To Screen BBC Series On Modi, Cops Called To Control Situation, Says DU Registrar

Police were seen dragging students away after they gathered outside the Arts Faculty building on Friday afternoon.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said 24 students have been detained and the situation is now back to normal.

New Delhi: ‘Outsiders’ tried to screen the controversial BBC documentary on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2002 Gujarat riots, at the Arts Faculty of Delhi University on Friday, Registrar Vikas Gupta said.

The registrar’s comments come hours after 24 students were detained after they gathered outside the Arts Faculty building to protest against not being allowed to screen the BBC series.

"We got to know that some students were trying to screen the documentary, so our proctor informed the police. There were many outsiders among those who tried to screen the film," news agency PTI quoted Gupta as saying. "Police came to maintain the law-and-order situation in the area," he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said 24 students have been detained and the situation is now back to normal.

Notably, police were seen dragging students away after they gathered outside the Arts Faculty building on Friday afternoon.

Kalsi said police personnel are currently at the spot monitoring the situation.

"We were told by the university that there is a possibility of a disruption on the campus. They wrote to us and urged us to handle the situation. So, we entered the campus and the situation was brought under control," the DCP said, adding, "Around 4 pm, some 20 people came outside the Arts Faculty gate to screen the BBC documentary. As it can cause disturbance of peace and tranquillity in the area, they were asked to disperse from there. When they did not, they were peacefully detained."

Earlier in the day, Delhi University Proctor Rajni Abbi said they would not allow the screening and stressed that the students' outfits had not sought the administration's permission.

Notably, this comes days after a similar ruckus at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia over the screening of the BBC series.