The filmmakers also condemned the murders of rationalists
Mumbai: After writers and artists, now filmmakers have decided to return awards to protest against what they call rising intolerance.
A group of 10 filmmakers, including Dibakar Bannerjee and Anand Patwardhan, announced that they would return their national awards in support of the protests by students of Pune's Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and also the "threat to diversity and freedom of speech."
"Government must reveal its commitment to protect freedom of expression," said the filmmakers while addressing a press conference in Mumbai.
Mr Patwardhan said: "We are disenchanted with what is happening in the country."
The filmmakers also condemned the murders of rationalists, including senior Kannada writer professor MM Kalburgi.
"Murders of rationalists are not random acts of violence. People being murdered for their beliefs and opinions... If we don't protest now, we're in danger of being part of flattening diversity," they added.
Earlier, FTII students said they were ending their 139-day strike and would return to classes but they said they would continue their protests against the appointment of small-time TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman.
