THE ultras of the North-East and North Bengal have decided to ban the screening of Hindi films. The unprecedented move has sent shockwaves not only amongst the Hindi film lovers, but also amongst the film distributors who have not yet mustered courage to give a formal reaction. Altogether 11 militant organisations have joined hands to hand down the ban effective from coming November 15. Their formal communication was signed by B Erakdao, publicity secretary, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Security forces are sceptical of the real motive behind the ban. “If they want a bank then why from November, why not from now onwards. This means they want negotiation, bargaining and eventually money from the distributors,” said a top security official. Another school of thought is that the Hindi moves offer nothing, but attractive cultural brainwashing packaged to unsuspecting indigenous people of the region and hence deserved to be banned. Production of local films and video imitating Bollywood fare has also been prohibited.

Parties to the ban orders include ULFA, NSCN (K), NDFB, MPLF comprising of PREPAK, UNLF and RPF. Others are Arunachal Dragon Force, the Hynnietrep National Liberation Council of Meghalaya, NLFT, the Tripura Democratic Front and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). We believe the cultural interaction between the North-East and the rest of the country ‘have had political overtones’, said B Erakdao, in his statement. He cites the example of Arunachal Pradesh where, according to the ultras, films have made the local language completely crippled and Hindi has become a local language. Hindi films generate a Rs. 100 crore business in the North-East and North Bengal every year. Raveena scoffs at ultras ban call on Hindi films “How can murderers be the guardian of morality?” asked Raveena Tandon. She was reacting to reports that the militant outfits in the region have decided to ban the screening of Hindi films on the plea that they try to impose a vulgur culture on the people of the region.

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