Chandigarh, May 10
Panjab University has constituted a committee to study the controversial issue of the recent ban on ‘freedom of expression’.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, talking to TNS exclusively, said the circular in question had been issued in a particular context and was not a general ban on the freedom of expression. The circular was issued when varsity staff was found to be leaking certain papers pertaining to legal affairs of the university. An enquiry was conducted and at least 10 persons were transferred on that account.

Professor Pathak said the circular in question referred to the non-teaching wing only and pertained to allegations, classified information and most importantly the university examination. As laid down in the calendar, the university staff was also expected to be cautious while commenting on functioning of the government, religion and caste, besides other crucial aspects.

There were certain aspects of this issue which would also require introspection by the teaching faculty. The university did not intend to curb the intellectual atmosphere and debates on scientific issues and issues of national interest. Professor Pathak, however, conceded that the circular could not convey its actual intention.

Professor Pathak said the committee would study related aspects before finalising the recommendations. The committee formed under the chairmanship of Mr R.S.Verma comprises the Registrar, the FDO, the Controller of Examination and Prof R.D. Anand, besides others.

The controversy has arisen following a letter of the DUI stating “no employee shall without the previous sanction of the prescribed authority or in bona fide discharge of his duties, participate in radio broadcast or contribute any article or write any letter to any newspaper or write a book or issue a pamphlet”. Professor Pathak said the letter was addressed to the heads of non-teaching staff and chairpersons regarding their employees only. He conceded that the university circular needed to be more detailed.

Professor Pathak said, “I am for more open and transparent functioning of the university affairs. There is a need to understand that the circular has been issued in the interest of the university and not to hamper intellectual activity which is the soul of any academic institution.”

Meanwhile, a letter of the Panjab University Teachers Association stated, “We are perturbed by the contents of various circulars and formation of some committees set up to monitor the academic work culture in the university. We welcome the steps, but, we should not forget that excellence in teaching and research relies on free and fair environment based on democratic intent and spirit. Unfortunately, many of the steps taken by our university authorities in the past few months aim at curtailing such an environment. Do we approve of the existence of committees which will question the quality and veracity of our work?”

Chandigarh, May 10
Out of the many French film festivals held in the city in the recent past, this one stands out on account of content and appeal. Structured jointly by Alliance Francaise Le Corbusier de Chandigarh and the Embassy of France in India, the festival which opened at Kiran Theatre, Sector 22, this evening spans 20 years of “thriller” cinema in France. To be focused under the title of Polar en tous genres (whodunits of all sorts) are seven action-packed films, drawing their content from police, detection and crime.

The inaugural film of the festival was Vivement Dimanche. On the rest of the days, films will be screened in the foillowing order: Inspecteur Lavardin (May 11), L.627 (May 12), Le Pouple (May 13), L’ Affaire Marcorelle (May 14), Les Marchands Du Sable (May 15) and Scenes de crimes (May 16).

The first film centred around a mysterious plot. A certain Massouier is killed by a shot in the head during a hunting party. Julien Versel, head of a real estate agency, is accused of homicide. A bit later Vercel’s wife, who was also Massoulier’s mistress, is discovered murdered. Vercel decides to flee and conduct his own investigation....The pace of the film is fast. Directed by Francoise Truffaut, the film revels in the elements of crime and detection.

Tomorrow’s show at 6.30 pm will open with Inspecteur Lavardin. The central character of the film is investigating the murder of a catholic author whose body is found naked on the beach. The cynicism of Lavardin leads him to invent a culprit who is not the one who accidentally caused the death of the hateful eminent man. Jean Poiret as Lavardin and Claude Chabrol as director of the film team up to offer astounding speed to the film.

Director Bertrand Tavernier’s L.627 is about a police investigator who arouses his superiors’ thunder after expressing his dissatisfaction loud and clear about the work and methods in practice. He then finds himself transferred to a squad specialising in narcotics.

Le Popule by director Guillaume Nicloux is a very “in” kind of a movie. It is said to owe its success to its two actors : Jean Pierre Darroussin and Clotilde Courrau. The film is about Adrien Lecouvreur, alias Le Pouple, who decides to leave Paris with his girlfriend Cheryl. After his last encounter with the man in the latex mask, he needs to relax. But when he arrives at Morsang, Cheryl’s little hometown, he finds a new mystery to solve. The tomb of Cheryl’s grandparents has been desecrated, Le Pouple sets out to find the culprits.

L’ affaire Marcorelle is an amusing story. Directed by Serge Le Peron, the film is about Francois Marcorelle, a magistrate judge in Chambery, who finds himself in the room of a young Polish girl whom he met in a local restaurant. There he committed murder. At least he thinks so but his friend thinks that this one is just one of his many nightmares....The mystery only deepens.

Les Marchands de Sable underlines a basic truth — act in time if you don’t want to die. On a little Parisian square, drugs are bought and sold. More or less unware of these deals, some young people live and die with them. Alain, a bar owner, observes this world without comprehending or reacting until one day a young girl asks him to help her find her brother’s murderers. Directed by Pierre Salvadori, the film is a fine lesson in civicism and cinema.

Last in the kitty will be Scenes de crimes, to be screened on May 16, the concluding day of the festival. Packed with zing, the film is kicked off from Marie Bourgion’s sudden disappearance. The only clue: a tourist folder found at the scene of the crime, of Mauritius Island, spotted with blood. The criminal squad in Versailes is handling the case. Commander Fabien and Captain Gomez set to work, but there is no trace after days of investigation.