Mumbai: Greenpeace activists say they are undaunted by the legal challenges put before them by the government and have recreated nine iconic Bollywood film posters like Lagaan and 3 Idiots to demonstrate their determination to hang on and fight for the environment.
The latest challenge before the NGO is that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the registration of Greenpeace India under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which means it will not be able to receive funds from abroad. “Though the funds have been already suspended since April, 70 per cent of our funds are generated in India, mostly through individual contributions,” said Hozefa Merchant, Campaigner.
Vinuta Gopal, interim co-executive director of Greenpeace India, says, “Despite the MHA’s many efforts over the last year, and in good Bollywood tradition, Greenpeace is still alive; the good guys live to fight another day because we are right, and because we are fighting the good fight. Our campaign for a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for all will continue undeterred because in life, as in art, the show must go on.”
Therefore, in an innovative way of arguing out their stance on the environment, Greenpeace staff and volunteers have recreated nine iconic Bollywood film posters including Swades, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and 3 Idiots. “Members of the Mahan Sangharsh Samiti, a people’s movement in Madhya Pradesh, have also joined in, showcasing their hard-won battle to save their forest by recreating the Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan. The online protest is open to public participation, particularly from other civil society groups facing challenges similar to Greenpeace,” said Merchant.
The MHA has filed an affidavit informing the Delhi High Court that Greenpeace India’s FCRA licence has been cancelled. Although the court hearing originally scheduled for today has been deferred to September 17, the environmental NGO has reiterated its commitment to continuing its campaigns with the support of Indian donors and the new online campaign recreating Bollywood movie posters is meant to highlight real-life stories about reclaiming freedom of speech.
Gopal says, “While our continued existence has been no less dramatic than the best of Bollywood, with twists and turns every day, our story is far from unique. Similar clampdowns have been seen all across the country but we are confident that people will join our campaign and send a clear message to those in power: you can’t muzzle dissent in a democracy.”
