I&B; Ministry cancels screening of film on beef and caste politics - The screening of a documentary film about beef politics made by students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, at a Films Division Festival in Delhi, has been cancelled at the last minute.

The film, 'Caste on the Menu Card', was set to be screened on Saturday , the festival organizers were informed by the I&B; ministry on Thursday that it could not be screened.

Sociologist Nandini Sardesai, a member of the certification board said, "None of us, as members of the National Board of Film Certification, have any clue about this film being cancelled."

Festival director Manoj Mathew said, "According to protocol, we sent the I&B; ministry a synopsis of all 35 films that we wanted to screen, so that we could receive a censor board exemption to screen the films. We sent in the information in early October. It usually takes a few days for the ministry to clear the list of films. This time round, the decision was escalated to the joint secretary , Films Division, who decided against the movie screening."

Reacting to the controversy senior I&B; ministry official said, "We were sent a four-line statement about the film. The information given was inadequate. Since it was a sensitive topic, how could a decision be taken on that basis? But the festival organisers are free to approach the Central Board of Film Certification and get clearance for the film to screen it."