New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that the atmosphere being created in the country in the name of 'The Kashmir Files' movie would increase the divide between different religions while SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya said such a film would end communal harmony and brotherhood.
The remarks come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have endorsed the movie. Several BJP-ruled states have given 'The Kashmir Files' tax exemptions.
The movie, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and starring Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi and Mithun Chakraborty, is based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s.
"The debate on this film in the media and on social media spoils the atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony. This should be avoided by the media," Ashok Gehlot tweeted.
"There is no need for any debate over 'The Kashmir Files' movie. The exodus of Pandits from Kashmir at that time caused pain to all countrymen, irrespective of their religion," Gehlot further said.
"The atmosphere that is being created in the name of the film will further increase the gap between different religions including Hindu-Muslim, which is not in any way in the interest of the country," he said.
Samajwadi Party leader and former UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya called the film incomplete and blamed previous governments, including that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for the destruction of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and Sikhs.
"The Kashmir Files only depicts the persecution of the Kashmiri Pandits, whereas in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Kashmiri Muslims, Pandits and Sardars were equally ravaged and harassed. Show full scenes. Showing an incomplete film will end communal harmony and brotherhood," Maurya tweeted.
"Since 1990 in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, there has been continuous torture of Kashmiri Muslims, Pandits and Sardars by Pakistanis. For this, all previous central governments, including three-time PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, are responsible," he said.