Controversy Erupts Over Removal of Lakshmipriya Devi's BAFTA Speech

BAFTA Faces Backlash Over Speech Removal

Imphal, Feb 28: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is under fire following the alleged deletion of Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi's acceptance speech from its official social media channels, just days after her film Boong made history at the BAFTA Awards.

On February 22, Boong achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Indian film to win in the Best Children’s & Family Film category, marking a significant achievement for Indian regional cinema.

This victory was celebrated nationwide, especially in Manipur, where it was viewed as a vital acknowledgment of Indigenous storytelling and creative strength.

However, shortly after this triumph, reports surfaced that Lakshmipriya Devi’s acceptance speech was removed from BAFTA’s accounts on X and Instagram, with no public explanation provided.

The speech, which was delivered amidst ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, resonated with many due to its heartfelt sincerity and references to the local situation.

The reported removal has ignited outrage among artists, activists, and social media users, with many labeling it as an act of 'cultural erasure' and demanding the prompt restoration of the video.

Binalakshmi Nepram, the Founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Co-Vice President of the International Peace Bureau, expressed her concern regarding the alleged removal of the speech by BAFTA. She emphasized that if true, it would signify the 'cultural erasure of Indigenous people’s and women’s voices' and called for its immediate reinstatement.

“Inclusion, not erasure of our voices and our stories, is the way forward,” she stated.

As of the time of this report, BAFTA had not released any official statement regarding the removal of the speech.