Days after filmmakers returned their national awards protesting “growing intolerance" in India, a film on beef by students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, set to be screened at a Films Division Festival in Delhi, has been called off at the last minute.This was the only one of 35 films that the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry did not clear, based so ely on its synopsis. While the film, `Caste on the Menu Card', was supposed to be screened on Saturday , the festival organizers were informed by the I&B ministry on Thursday that it could not be screened. Many feel the ministry's last-minute decision was to ensure no time for protest. “None of us, as members of the National Board of Film Certification, have any clue about this film being cancelled," said sociologist Nandini Sardesai, a member of the certification board.According to protocol, we sent the I&B ministry a synopsis of all 35 films that we wanted to screen, so that we could receive a censor board exemption to screen the films. We sent in the information in early October. It usually takes a few days for he ministry to clear the list of films. This time round, he decision was escalated to he joint secretary , Films Division, who decided against he movie screening," said festival director Manoj Mat hew. Responding to the controversy senior I&B ministry official said, “We were sent a four-line statement about the film. The information given was inadequate. Since it was a sensitive topic, how could a decision be taken on that basis? But the festival organisers are free to approach the Central Board of Film Certification and get clearance for the film to screen it.'' Sources said that exemption from censor board certification was a specific facility for festivals that was based on the discretion of the ministry. But that was by no means the final decision on the film.“We think our film encourages an informed debate on the issues of caste, social exclusion, livelihood, eating preferences and their co-relation. Banning the public screening is not going to help," said Reetika Revathy Subramanian, one of the TISS students who made the film. “The documentary was done as an attempt to educate and highlight a larger context. Entries at such national competitions should be judged or selected on the basis of its merit and viewed in the right context," said TISS director S Parasuraman.For latest Bollywood updates follow us on Twitter >>> @TOIEntertain For the latest in Bollywood news, like us on Facebook >>> TOIEntertain