Commission for Child Rights raises objection to release of 'Nil Bate Sannata' starring Swara Bhaskar

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has raised objection to the film 'Nil Battey Sannata' up for release on Friday alleging it violates child rights by depicting corporal punishment to children in the classroom.

In a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NCPCR member Priyank Kanoongo has requested them not to release the film in the interest of "protection of child rights".

"Prima facie on perusal of the trailers of the film, it has been observed by the Commission that instances of corporal punishment being meted out to children in classroom have been depicted in the scenes available on the YouTube and trailers in the theaters," the letter said.

"Promotion and depiction of corporal punishment in an acceptable form in visual media is blatant violation of child rights," it said.

The Commission has taken suo moto cognisance of the matter and said it is not "permissible" to release the film.

"It has been observed that there is gross violation of the child rights and hence, it is not permissible to release the film in the best interest of protection of child rights until reviewed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights," the letter said.

The film has received applause at the BFI London Film Festival and the Silk Road International Film Festival in China, where its lead actor, Swara Bhaskar, received the Best Actress Award.