Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Shri. Chetan Rajhans on ‘The Kashmir Files’

Director Vivek Agnihotri’s most talked about film, The Kashmir Files, was released on 11th March. This is a grim reminder of the events that unfolded in the Kashmir Valley in 1990, a film that boldly depicts the heinous crimes against humanity and the peak of religious fanaticism….

What happened in 1990 ?

Present generations are quite unaware of what happened in 1990. On 19th January 1990, Hindus across Kashmir were ‘ordered’ to leave Kashmir. Advertisements were placed in newspapers. It was announced over the radio and through loudspeakers on mosques! They had three alternatives – Raleev, tsaleev and galeev – which means ‘Convert, leave Kashmir or accept death’ in Kashmiri. These hate messages were painted on to walls forcing a Hindu exodus from the valley.

After having announced these three alternatives, Hindus were mindlessly targeted in a killing spree that resulted in four and a half lakh Kashmiri Hindus fleeing Kashmir for their lives. In order to protect their Dharma, Kashmiri Hindus sacrificed everything – their motherland, reminiscences, childhood, jobs-business. In a way it is very inspiring to experience that such an extraordinary sacrifice is being done even in this period; but on the other hand, it should churn our stomach in a Hindu majority nation Hindus were made to suffer like this. There can be nothing more unfortunate than Kashmiri Hindus having to live the life of refugees in their own nation. We should not forget one thing that when this incident happened, those speaking about intolerance had remained quiet. The Kashmir File has laid bare the reign of terror and the propaganda that followed to sweep it under the carpet.

The Kashmir Files raises many questions for those who praise Indian Democracy. The Kashmiri government looked ‘helpless’ before those who created the prevailing atmosphere in January 1990. Governor Jagmohan was relieved of his duties when he tried to make enlist the central government’s help. The Parliament of India did not approve any proposal that highlighted the atrocities being heaped on Kashmiri Hindus. 89 members of the Parliament in 1990 belonged to the current ruling party, yet it is unfortunate that they chose to concentrate on saving the VP Singh government. The Supreme Court of India did not take any suo moto cognisance of the matter. Constitutional limitations reduced the Indian Armed forces to spectators, like the powerful Bhishmacharya in the Kaurava court. The Constitution that assures every Indian citizen safety, failed in Kashmir. The National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women’s rights also failed to perform their duty at that time. The silence of the much touted fourth pillar of democracy, the media bigwigs, was tantamount to their assent to the ongoings. History will remember that the Kashmiri Hindu genocide happened under the veil of democracy. Indian Democracy has no right to call itself ‘great’ till this stigma is erased.

Watch The Kashmir Files

This film is from the Bollywood stables, yet it is being treated as a pariah. While some movie promoters like Kapil Sharma are terming it a ‘one-sided view’, others like Swara Bhaskar have rejected the movie’s success. ‘Urduwood’ seems to be apprehensive that 100 crore Hindus will watch the movie and make it a colossal success. If this happens, then films such as, ‘1947 Partition Files’,’1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Atrocities Files’, ‘1976 Emergency Files’, ‘1989 Ayodhya Files’, ‘2000 Godhra Files’, will be produced to unearth the uncomfortable truth that has been buried. Even Prime Minister Modi made a very poignant comment that the truth of the atrocities committed on Kashmiri Hindus was being suppressed for years.

The Kashmir Files is a brave attempt to shed light on the atrocities committed on Kashmiri Hindus. Bollywood does not shy away from producing and promoting scores of films glorifying the mafia, drug peddlers, hooligans, brothel owners like Gangubai, every single year. It would be in the interests of the nation if the people watch The Kashmir Files instead of watching such films.

– Mr Chetan Rajhans, National Spokesperson, Sanatan Sanstha