Kashmir Files
When a filmmaker makes a film, directing it himself, he supposedly has a vision behind it. A purpose why he makes it…
Today’s Rate
Tuesday 05 Nov. 2024
To tell an untold story; to intrigue, interest sometimes inspire.
One wonders what Vivek Agnihotri had in mind when he made Kashmir files?
If it was to make money, he’s earning it in droves!
But at what cost to the nation ? The Indian public?
Few days into release of the movie, the narrative across social media has become :
” If you are a Hindu and a patriot it’s your DUTY to see this movie to know exactly what happened to Kashmiri Pundits decades ago. “
The screenplay shows in gory detail how they were massacred,murdered and driven out. Women were molested and raped before being killed.
Sounds familiar? That is exactly what happened on both sides of the border during partition. Hindus and Sikhs were killed on one side and Muslims on the other.
Even Nagpur has many Sindhi families who migrated from Sindh province in Pakistan who migrated to India.
Independent India has witnessed quite a few ” communal riots” too.( A euphemism for killing of people of a particular religion/ caste/ creed). Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims….even Christians, all have been victims. Why speak of just Kashmiri Pundits, Dalit people are tortured and killed all over India even now! By higher caste people of their own religion!
So when you selectively make a movie about Kashmiri Pundits, what was the purpose, the message you were giving out to the audience??
The answer can be seen across cinema theatres where the movie is being screened . And across social media like Facebook and Twitter.
It’s a one word objective – Islamphobia.
The undersigned has been following various discourse on the film on Facebook as well as YouTube.
What interested me was a debate in Hindi where 2 journalists/ prominent citizens who had lived in Kashmir for many years were invited to participate. Both Hindus by the way.
Both disapproved of some sections of the movie.
” Its all black and white. No greys have been covered. ” Said one.
” It paints all Kashmiri muslims as murderers, they don’t show one instance where a Muslim neighbor tried to save/ shield his Hindu neighbor. It wasn’t like that” said the other.
Further, Agnihotri tries directly or indirectly to pin the blame on Congress politicians. Quite overlooking 3 facts:
There was a BJP backed government of V.P. Singh as PM in Delhi then. And BJP didn’t remove their support on this issue but on the Mandal issue which was to benefit OBCs.
BJP politician Jagmohan was Governor of J & K then. There is much more he could have done to protect Pundits.
No. They only point out that Mufti Mohammed was Home Minister then! If he was the villain, why did BJP join hands with his daughter Mehbooba to form the government in this very state later?
Also, a very significant fact is glossed over. When Manmohan Singh was PM and Sonia Sonia Congress President, maximum succour and aid was granted to the displaced Pundits. Over 5000 crores were spent on it.
In contrast what has Modi done? He did revoke Article 370 but then what? Has a single Pundit family been repatriated home? In fact funds to all projects for aid of migrants have dried up!
Making this movie tax free in all BJP ruled states is a further ruse with an eye in coming state elections.
Forget making them tax free, your government has banned all films, like Farzana on 2002 riots from screening in theaters!
It’s a very cynical game that Agnihotri and the Indian govt is playing which will benefit nobody. Not even the BJP in the long run!
By Sunita Mudliyar – Executive Editor
