The Kashmir Files, a movie about the genocide of The Kashmiri Pandits, has rattled Islamists as it shows how lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits were forced out of their homes from the Valley in the 1980s and 1990s. Veteran actor Anupam Kher has played a prominent role in the movie.
When the Islamic month of Ramzan started on April 2, actor Kher wished his fans and followers on April 3, writing, “Ramadan Mubarak to all. Love, peace and prayers always.”
This triggered Congress leader Salman Nizami. He started hurling abuses at Kher and called him an Islamophobic. In a Twitter post, Nizami wrote, “Coward, hypocrite, Neech, Islamophobic, bigot, hatemonger. Get lost!”
The film was released in theatres worldwide on March 11 and has crossed INR 250 crore at the Box Office. Multiple attempts were made to ensure the film did not see the light of the day.
From the inception stage to the post-release phase, multiple hurdles were placed in its way to derail the production and discredit the movie.
In his address to the BJP Parliamentary Party on March 15 in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern over how the ‘ecosystem’ was working to discredit The Kashmir Files.
“The entire Jamaat, which claims to be the flag-bearer of freedom of expression, has been furious for the last 5-6 days. Instead of reviewing the film on the basis of facts and art, there’s a conspiracy to discredit it,” PM Modi had said.
He had added, “Those who think that this film is not right should make their own film. Who’s stopping them? But they are surprised that the truth that they kept hidden for so many years is not coming out. Those who live for the truth have a responsibility to stand with the truth at such a time.”
Salman Nizami, who claims to be a Gandhian, has a history of hurling abuses at those he disagrees with.
In April last year, Nizami wrote, “Anupam Kher is a political pimp — first he reaped benefits over bodies of Kashmiri Pandits. Now seeking to do same over pyres of Covid victims. Coward!”
In 2013, post-Nirbhaya, Nizami said that it’s women who dress provocatively and demand trouble. He had blamed women for rape, saying only attractive women are raped. Nizami had asserted that sexual attractiveness is the primary reason why a predator selects a rape victim.
