Beed police produce short film to promote free & fair elections

Aurangabad: The Beed police have produced a short film appealing to the citizens to not be influenced by any threat or bribe and cast their vote without fear.

‘Free, Fair and Fearless’, a short film, was recently released online. Directed by Aarti Bagdi, the Marathi film, with English subtitles, was shot in the Tadsone village of Beed district, some 125 km from here.

Interestingly, the cast of the film comprises Tadsone residents and personnel of the Beed police. As many as 25 policemen and 60 villagers took part in the short film.

The plot revolves around a village that uses funds received under the Tantamukta Yojana (a programme that gives development aid to dispute-free villages) to become water-sufficient.

Noted director and producer Subhash Ghai took to Twitter to appreciate the short film.

When contacted, Beed superintendent of police Harssh Poddar said, “This is an endeavour to assure people that the district police is committed to the cause of free and fair polls. Don’t let threats of violence scare you. Inform us about these and stern action will be taken.”

The officer said the intent of the film is to convey the message to voters in deep rural pockets.

The movie depicts a candidate campaigning in the village and visiting a house to seek votes. The candidate, while giving a saree and some cash as ‘gift’ to the family, can also be heard threatening them of dire consequences, if he loses the election.

The entire conversation takes place in the presence of a child, who earlier came across a sticker of the Beed police — appealing to the electors to inform them about any threat or bribery attempts by candidates seeking votes. The child then writes a letter to the police, who reached out to the family and provided security against goons pressurising the electors.

Policemen can be seen in the film giving assurances to the villagers.

The film further depicts that on the day of

voting

, the family returns the money and the gifts received from the candidate and informs the police about this. Following which, the police nab the suspect.

The film ends with an appeal from the Beed police: ‘Don’t be afraid. Go vote fearlessly! Safeguarding each voter, is our prime duty!’