Director Jeo Baby contemplates legal action against Farook College
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Malayalam film director Jeo Baby expressed his anguish after an invitation to speak at the film club inauguration of Farook College in Kerala's Kozhikode was abruptly rescinded. The college's students’ union and management allegedly cancelled the event, citing a misalignment of the director's statements with the "moral values of the college."
Jeo Baby, known for thought-provoking films like "Kaathal - The Core" and "The Great Indian Kitchen," expressed his protest in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday. The director, who had already arrived in Kozhikode for the event, revealed his disappointment and humiliation over the sudden cancellation, emphasizing that he had received no valid reason for the decision.
The college authorities later clarified that they opted to cancel the event after the students’ union informed them of their intention to protest against Jeo Baby's presence. The college believed it was in the best interest of all parties to avoid causing further controversy or discomfort.
Undeterred by the explanation, Jeo Baby announced his intention to take legal action if the college failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the cancellation. He questioned the motives of educational institutions and student organizations, wondering aloud about their goals in stifling diverse perspectives.
The students’ union, in a forwarded message, justified their stance by claiming that Jeo Baby's values and opinions clashed with the religious values upheld by the college. This revelation further fueled the director's determination to seek justice for what he deemed a public humiliation.
Meanwhile, PK Navas, the state president of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), voiced support for the students’ union through a Facebook post. He asserted that just as Jeo Baby had the right to express his opinions, the students also had the right to choose whether to engage with those opinions or not.
As Jeo Baby contemplates legal action against Farook College, the incident raises questions about the boundaries of free expression in educational institutions and the clash between artistic freedom and institutional values.
