PM Modi praises The Kashmir Files Congress terms it cultivation of hate

New Delhi (India): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the latest endorsement of Bollywood director Vivek Agnihotri's "The Kashmir Files," a film based on the plight of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, and slammed the "campaign to discredit" it by those who claim to be the flag bearers of freedom of expression.

Addressing the BJP’s parliamentary party meeting earlier today, the PM spoke at length about the film and lamented that no attempt has been made till now to make movies depicting the horrors of the partition and emergency as there have been continuous efforts to "bury the truth".

"You must have heard the discussion about The Kashmir Files. Those who carry around the flag of freedom of expression, that whole group has been rattled for the last few days," Modi said in his speech, the video of which was shared on Twitter by the BJP and several leaders of the saffron party.

"Instead of assessing the film on the basis of facts and truth, a campaign is on to discredit it. The whole ecosystem opposes anyone who tries to show the truth. They only try to project what they want to see as truth, the conspiracy for the last few days is to ensure that no one sees the truth," the prime minister said. 

"My concern is not just the film. I believe that it is beneficial for the nation to bring out the truth in the right way. It can have many aspects. Some see one thing, others see something else," he added.

However, the Congress accused the BJP government hours later of not doing anything for the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits and asked till when "will you take advantage by scratching wounds"? The Opposition party also asked as to how long will the "harvest of profit from the cultivation of hate" continue.

Hitting back at the PM’s comments, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked till when "will you take advantage by scratching wounds"? He said Modi must tell the country that when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley under the shadow of terror and barbarism in 1990, what were the 85 BJP MPs doing as it was on their support that the VP Singh government was running at the Centre.

"Why after removing the chief minister, the governor appointed by them instigated the Pandits to flee, instead of providing them security?" Surjewala asked in a series of tweets in Hindi.

"Remember, when Kashmiri Pandits were being persecuted and were fleeing under the BJP-backed government, Rajiv Gandhi 'gheraoed' Parliament and raised their voices. But the BJP gave tacit support to this tragedy, taking out a 'Rath Yatra' for political gains," he said.

The saffron party was like that then and has remained so, Surjewala added.

The Congress leader also asked what the Modi government did for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the last eight years.

"The situation in Kashmir again worsened, violence escalated and thousands of Kashmiris had to flee. When you could not do anything for Kashmiri Pandits, you got down to showing a 'film' to people?" he asked.

How long will the harvest of profit from the cultivation of hate continue, Surjewala asked.

"For Kashmir and Kashmiri Pandits, in the UPA government -- 4,241 terrorists were killed in 10 years, 3,000 jobs were made available under the prime minister's package, 5,911 transit accommodation were built. In the Modi government -- 1,419 terrorists were killed in eight years, only 520 jobs were given, 1,000 transit accommodations built," he said.

The movie depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the erstwhile-state after systematic killings of people from the community by Pakistan-back terrorists and stars veteran actors including Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, and Pallavi Joshi among others. (With PTI inputs)