Crime has been part of  society since ages:  Prakash Jha

Dehradun, 29 Nov: The second edition of perhaps India’s only Crime Literature Festival kicked off today at Hotel Hyatt Centric, bringing together senior police officers who are also authors, fiction writers in crime, filmmakers, and media persons. The festival was inaugurated by noted philanthropists Mata Mangla Devi and Bhole Maharaj, founders of the Hans Foundation. The event was also graced by noted film director Prakash Jha and film writer Avinash Singh Tomar. The festival is open to all interested and will conclude on 1 December.

Festival Chairman and former DGP of Uttarakhand, Ashok Kumar, delivered the welcome address and shared how the idea of organizing a crime literature festival turned into a reality. He mentioned that the festival aims to present a realistic picture of the police force, often negatively portrayed in films. Kumar praised films like Gangaajal directed by Prakash Jha but remarked that police officers in reality are neither like those portrayed in films where they arrive late nor like the all-powerful ones in films like Singham. He added that the event is not just a celebration of storytelling but also aims to educate, inspire, and create a more aware society regarding crime.

Aloke Lal, the festival director and former DG of Police in Uttarakhand, shared the genesis of the Crime Literature Festival. While at a leading bookshop in Dehradun, it was revealed that every fifth book published or sold is related to crime. This revelation led to the inception of the festival, which is now growing. Lal, now a noted author, emphasized that crime often starts from a small issue that escalates. He also shared information about the upcoming sessions in the three-day festival, noting that CLFI is a confluence of creativity and reality, designed to provoke dialogue and inspire change.

Film writer Avinash Singh and film director Prakash Jha addressed the inaugural session, both expressing surprise at being invited to a crime literature festival. Jha shared that as a storyteller, he believes stories are formed when something abnormal happens. He noted that everyone has an interest or streak in crime, but many resist the temptation through rationality, while others commit the crime. Jha also shared an incident from Bhagalpur, Bihar, where police officers who threw acid in the eyes of alleged criminals were praised by the locals, highlighting the complexity of defining criminality.

On this occasion, SHO of Bikaner Police Station Dhirendra Singh Shekhawat was honored for his commitment to ensuring justice for a two-year-old rape victim. Despite the parents not registering a case, he took suo motto cognizance of the incident and pursued the investigation even after multiple transfers, eventually bringing the rapists to justice.

The first session after the inaugural was a discussion on the film Gangaajal directed by Prakash Jha, with RJ Kavya. Jha declined being labeled a social reformer, identifying himself as a storyteller and observer who aims to portray stories honestly. He shared that writing the script for Gangaajal took 7 to 8 years, Rajneeti about 6 years, and Aarakshan several years. The discussion also touched on his reflection on societal narratives in cinema.

Another engaging session was on the famous Batla House encounter in Delhi, featuring Ashok Kumar, Karnal Singh, and Maj Gen (Retd) Shammi Sabharwal. The day concluded with a press interaction with Prakash Jha. Upcoming highlights include sessions with Kavita Kaushik, Avinash Singh Tomar, and Anubhav Sinha, as well as participation by authors Kiran Manral and Richa Mukherjee, journalists Gargi Rawat, Nidhi Kulpati, and Shams Tahir Khan, and film personalities Akash Khurana and Karan Oberoi. These sessions will address pressing issues like cybercrime, crimes against women, and the psychological factors influencing criminal behavior and road accidents.