NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the opposition to ‘The Kashmir Files’, a movie based on the killings of Kashmiri Pandits, and said the campaign to discredit the account of atrocities committed in the 1990s and the resultant mass exodus of the community has exposed those who style themselves as votaries of free speech.
“The entire ecosystem, which pretends to be proponents of freedom of expression and speech, has been completely rattled since the release of the movie. They are doing all it takes to discredit the movie, which is actually based on true events. Instead of engaging in healthy debates based on facts and truths, this entire set has launched a full-fledged campaign to discredit the film,” Modi said while addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting here. PM said the entire “eco-system” has been gunning for an individual who has dared to depict the truth.
“They do not want to accept the truth, nor do they want the truth to be revealed…The type of campaign that has been launched against the movie in the last few days is astounding,” he said, adding: “Puri Jamaat char paanch din se baukhla gayi hai (The entire fraternity has been seething with resentment for the last 4-5 days).”
He cited how “this particular ecosystem” had reacted negatively when his government declared August 14 as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ in India.
He said the pain caused by Partition cannot be forgotten and the day commemorates the struggle and sacrifices of the people of India.
“These people, on the other hand, were agitated by my announcement,” he added. The PM said his intention was not to promote a film, it was critical that “facts in their entirety” was shown to the world.